BATON ROUGE — LSU football is working through spring drills without another one of its top returning tacklers from a season ago.Senior safety Jardin Gilbert is out for the duration of spring, LSU coach Brian Kelly told reporters after the team's fifth practice Saturday morning. Gilbert had surgery on his shoulder in the offseason. Through the first handful of practices, Gilbert has been seen off to the side, navigating some individual workouts with trainers.LSU added safety Tamarcus Cooley from North Carolina State in the transfer portal and Javien Toviano has shifted back to deep safety, which was a move he made prior to LSU's appearance in the Texas Bowl.LSU CHANGES FOOTBALL SPRING GAME 'Let's think OTAs': LSU football announces changes to annual National L Club Spring GameGARRETT NUSSMEIER THIS SPRING What's the most important thing for LSU football QB Garrett Nussmeier this spring?Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.There's some youth on the backend of LSU's defense this spring and while Gilbert hasn't been able to work through drills with his fellow safeties, Kelly commended the senior on how he's handled his situation and stepped up into more of a leadership role."He's there every day. He's been a great leader. He's actually been the veteran guy that you want," Kelly said. "He's been around those young guys and he's been accountable."Gilbert is a fourth defensive starter to miss this spring due to injury, along with linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., who is out due to an ACL tear, linebacker Whit Weeks, who broke his fibula in the Texas Bowl and defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon early last season.Kelly said earlier this spring that he expects all three of those players to be fully cleared by LSU's June training and conditioning program.Last season, Gilbert finished fourth on LSU's defense in total tackles (52) and had three pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.Kelly said he and safeties coach Jake Olsen know what they have in Gilbert, so his sitting out is not problematic for them."He's outstanding against the run. He's tough, he's physical," Kelly said. "Plug in a veteran guy when he gets healthy into that mix, now you really have some things to work with."LSU INJURY NEWS LSU football: Whit Weeks, Harold Perkins Jr. injury updates. When will LB pair be healthy?KYLE WILLIAMS HIRED AT DL COACH Brian Kelly, LSU football needed continuity at DL coaching role. Kyle Williams made senseCory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

LSU football starting safety Jardin Gilbert out for spring practice

BATON ROUGE — LSU football is working through spring drills without another one of its top returning tacklers from a season ago. Senior safety Jardin Gilbert is out for the duration of spring, LSU coach Brian Kelly told reporters after the team’s fifth practice Saturday morning. Gilbert had surgery on his shoulder in the offseason. […]

BATON ROUGE — LSU football is working through spring drills without another one of its top returning tacklers from a season ago.

Senior safety Jardin Gilbert is out for the duration of spring, LSU coach Brian Kelly told reporters after the team’s fifth practice Saturday morning. Gilbert had surgery on his shoulder in the offseason. Through the first handful of practices, Gilbert has been seen off to the side, navigating some individual workouts with trainers.Kelly said he and safeties coach Jake Olsen know what they have in Gilbert, so his sitting out is not problematic for them.

“He’s outstanding against the run. He’s tough, he’s physical,” Kelly said. “Plug in a veteran guy when he gets healthy into that mix, now you really have some things to work with.””He’s there every day. He’s been a great leader. He’s actually been the veteran guy that you want,” Kelly said. “He’s been around those young guys and he’s been accountable.”Gilbert is a fourth defensive starter to miss this spring due to injury, along with linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., who is out due to an ACL tear, linebacker Whit Weeks, who broke his fibula in the Texas Bowl and defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon early last season.Last season, Gilbert finished fourth on LSU’s defense in total tackles (52) and had three pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

LSU added safety Tamarcus Cooley from North Carolina State in the transfer portal and Javien Toviano has shifted back to deep safety, which was a move he made prior to LSU’s appearance in the Texas Bowl.There’s some youth on the backend of LSU’s defense this spring and while Gilbert hasn’t been able to work through drills with his fellow safeties, Kelly commended the senior on how he’s handled his situation and stepped up into more of a leadership role.

Kelly said earlier this spring that he expects all three of those players to be fully cleared by LSU’s June training and conditioning program.