The biggest story of the college football offseason has reached a temporary conclusion, just hours before Week 1 officially kicks off.
Former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris were left off LSU’s official roster ahead of Saturday’s season opener against Clemson, according to multiple reports.
The move appears to avoid an immediate confrontation with the SEC, which passed a rule barring former professional players from rosters before a Louisiana court put it on hold.
The duo was granted a preliminary injunction Thursday night in Baton Rouge, allowing them to pursue a fifth year of eligibility against the NCAA and SEC. After the ruling, Wright told reporters he planned to be ready to play against Clemson and said he had practiced with LSU for the past two days.
LSU, in its own statement Friday, said it was reviewing the court’s order and would “continue to work constructively with the SEC and NCAA as this matter moves forward.”
The College Football Playoff also came out in support of the rules barring former professional players from the college game.
The LSU decision came just hours after Clemson general counsel Chip Hood sent a letter to his LSU counterpart suggesting the eligibility issue could conflict with the contract between the two schools to play Saturday’s game.
Clemson still plans to show up. Its coach, Dabo Swinney, however, made his feelings clear earlier in the week.
“I would just say it’s kind of embarrassing,” Swinney said. “I mean, honestly, it’s just embarrassing that that’s where we are. I don’t blame the kids and people trying to take advantage of the system. I just think it’s embarrassing where we are with college football.”
Both Wright and Harris played for new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin during his time at Ole Miss.
Wright had 39 catches for 635 yards as a tight end for the Rebels last season before spending time with the Cleveland Browns organization during NFL training camp this summer.
Harris, a 6-foot-8, 330-pound defensive tackle, recorded 58 tackles and three sacks last season under Kiffin. He signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent before being waived last month.
Both players could still be added to the roster later this season, as both remain enrolled at LSU. The Tigers currently have 103 players on their submitted roster, leaving two spots open.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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