BATON ROUGE — LSU head coach Lane Kiffin provided updates Thursday on several key players, including wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr. and offensive lineman Jordan Seaton.

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Kiffin was asked about Watkins' absence from practice, alluding to an injury to the Ole Miss transfer wide receiver.

"We don't comment on the particular injuries until the injury boards are forced to come out," Kiffin said. "But so he's out. He's not out there, and you know we hope he comes back soon, but he's had a great camp up to that point, done really well, and has really been a good leader, too."

Kiffin was also asked about his aggressive approach on fourth downs and his tendency to go for it rather than punt or attempt a field goal.

"The fourth down, there's a lot of analytics to that. I think we were at the forefront of that years ago, and just how we run our whole program of creating new boxes and thinking differently. At first it was hard for people. It was a transition for media and for fans because they just had so many years of just seeing the ball kicked. You just punt, and you kick field goals, but the numbers don't show you that. And so now that's proven over time, and I think our lenses are adjusting to that."

Kiffin said his aggressive fourth-down strategy has played a major role in helping his teams win in the past.

"The fourth downs were really critical, and they helped us win games over time, and being really aggressive," Kiffin said. "I think the players know when they play for our program that we're going to be very aggressive on all phases of the game, and we are going to put the game on them and let them make the plays to win the game."

The coach was also asked how the offensive line has adjusted to LSU's increased tempo and the possibility of facing more four-down situations.

"It was a big adjustment for them in the spring, took awhile for that. They are doing really well; got some ways to go in the pass game, but I thought the run game we have done a really good job at playing together as a unit," Kiffin said.

One of the biggest additions to the offensive line through the transfer portal has been Seaton, and Kiffin had high praise for the former Colorado standout's development during camp.

"He's had a great camp. Even better than his play has been his leadership by example, the way that he works, the way he's up here extra watching things, and the way he's taken on younger guys and helped them. It's been phenomenal," Kiffin said. "From his attention to detail, playing wise, and then as a teammate. He's been a phenomenal teammate, one that these guys rave about on both sides of the ball."

LSU will open the 2026 season at home against Clemson on Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. and will air on WBRZ.