Former Michigan State running back LJ Scott will miss the Senior Bowl due to an ankle injury.
http://gty.im/1076316874
For Scott, who originally accepted an invitation to play in the game, withdrawing from the Senior Bowl is just another bump in what was a disappointing, injury-filled final season for the Spartans. The injury woes started early for LJ Scott, who injured his right leg on September 8th during the game between MSU and Arizona State. Scott suffered the leg injury on the second play of the second half of the 16-13 loss.
Scott would only play in two more regular-season games, against Michigan and Purdue, due to the injury which Mark Dantonio called an ankle injury. Scott re-aggravated the injury during the game against Purdue on October 27th. LJ Scott did not play again during the regular season and the initial plan according to Dantonio was to have him redshirt. However, Scott decided to play in the Spartans’ bowl game against Oregon and gave up his potential fifth year of eligibility to declare for the NFL draft:
https://twitter.com/ljscott_03/status/1070475130600599552
Spartan Nation
The past four years at Michigan State have been some of the best of my life. It has been an incredible journey in East Lansing, and I am proud of all of our accomplishments as a team and forever grateful to the entire Spartans Nation.
Having dealt with various humbling injuries during the 2018 regular season, I initially believed the best plan for me was to return to the Spartans as a Redshirt Senior next season. As the season has drawn closer to an end, I’ve had time to properly reflect and discuss all of my options with my coaches and family to decide the absolute best course of action for me going forward. After a ton of thought, prayer, and careful consideration, I have decided to enter the 2019 NFL Draft as a senior.
Especially considering the position that I play, I truly feel in my heart that after four seasons at MSU, the time is right for me to turn pro. I will continue to get healthy, finish the season playing in the Redbox Bowl with my teammates, and then pursue my dream of playing in the NFL.
I want to personally thank Coach Dantonio for everything he has done for me as a coach and a mentor in my life. He has always stood by me and supported me. A big thank you goes out to my family for always being there and supporting me throughout this journey as I pursue my dream of one day playing in the NFL. I also want to thank the entire coaching staff at MSU, the support staff, and the entire medical training staff for everything that they have done for me. To my teammates, you guys are the best, and I appreciate all of you!
And lastly, to the best fans in the country, the love and support you all have shown me and my family through the past four years here at MSU means more than you know. I will forever be a Spartan. Go Green!
LJ Scott
During the second quarter of the game against Oregon, Scott pulled up lame and grabbed the back of his left knee near his hamstring. Despite the injury scare, LJ was able to play the rest of the game and finished with a game-high 84 rushing yards on 24 carries.
In the five games he played in this year, Scott ran 79 times for 264 yards, but he did not score a touchdown. He also caught seven passes for 95 yards.
While his final year didn’t go according to plan, Scott finished his Spartan career ranked ninth all-time with both 2,855 rushing yards and 610 carries, and 12th in career rushing TDs at 25.
With LJ Scott sitting out the Senior Bowl, safety Khari Willis now will be the Spartans’ lone representative. The Senior Bowl will be played on Saturday, January 26th in Mobile, Alabama. The game will be televised on the NFL Network and is scheduled to start at 2:30 PM ET.
