Ed Orgeron on Derek Stingley Jr., John Emery and T.J. Finley's return to Tiger Stadium

LSU has not determined whether All-American cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. will be available against Auburn, coach Ed Orgeron said Monday.

“He’s going to see a doctor this week,” Orgeron said. “He has not seen a doctor so it’s still the same thing.”

Stingley did not play in Saturday’s 28-25 win at Mississippi State after reaggravating a foot injury he suffered during preseason practices. Sophomore Dwight McGlothern started in Stingley’s absence opposite Eli Ricks.

Nickel back Cordale Flott played the best game of his career. Flott forced a fumble that set up LSU’s first touchdown and intercepted a pass in the second quarter.  

“The two turnovers he caused were gamechangers for us,” Orgeron said. “You look at the nickel position in the SEC, especially the SEC West, and you have to cover some of the best receivers in the country. Guys that are potential first-round raft choices and potential Heisman Trophy winners, so that is a huge position for us.”

Stingley was the second defensive starter injured last week. Defensive end Andre Anthony suffered a season-ending knee injury in LSU’s 49-21 win over Central Michigan on Sept. 18.

Through three games, Stingley has eight total tackles and one forced fumble.

T.J. Finley returns to Tiger Stadium

Former LSU quarterback T.J. Finley will make his first visit to Death Valley since joining Auburn (3-1)  on Saturday (8 p.m., ESPN).

Finley, who started five games as a freshman in 2020, placed his name in the transfer portal in May after a three-way competition with Myles Brennan and Max Johnson during spring practice. Finley chose Auburn over Penn State and Texas.

Orgeron compared playing against Finley to facing his son, McNeese State quarterback Cody Orgeron, earlier this season. 

“T.J. is always going to be a part of our family,” Orgeron said. “He’s from Ponchatoula and he’s got a great family. After the game, we’re going to shake hands and just like us playing Cody, it’s family but once we compete, we compete.

“We wish him the very best and I hope he does very well and we’re going to shake his hand after the game.”

Finley replaced starter Bo Nix with 3:30 remaining and led a 98-yard touchdown drive in Auburn’s 34-24 win over Georgia State at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers trailed 24-20 when Finley entered the game.

Orgeron said LSU (3-1, 1-0) would have a plan for both Auburn quarterbacks.

“Obviously we know very well how T.J. throws the ball, which is excellent,” Orgeron said. “He has a cannon for an arm and we know Bo’s throwing style. I think it’s more or less what type of passing game they’re going to have with both of those guys. I think that’s the big difference.”

No change with John Emery 

Orgeron hopes to “hear something soon” from the NCAA on running back John Emery status.

Emery was ruled academically ineligible for the 2021 season the day before LSU played UCLA. The former Destrehan star continues to practice with the Tigers.

“He’s going to practice so if they make a decision and say he can play, he’s going to be ready to play and we’ll continue to practice him like that until we hear something different,” Orgeron said.

Don Jackson, an attorney based in Montgomery, Alabama, filed a request with the NCAA to have Emery reinstated based on new information in the case. The NCAA ruled Emery academically ineligible the day before a season-opening loss at UCLA

LSU’s attempt to secure a family hardship waiver for Emery was denied by the NCAA. Over the past 18 months, Emery’s grandmother died of cancer, his stepfather was hospitalized for COVID-19 and his mother tested positive for the virus.

Jackson previously represented former LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton following his two-year suspension in 2017 for tampering with a drug test. Fulton’s eligibility was restored in Aug. 2018 after NCAA reclassified the infraction to “urine substitution” instead of tampering.

In Emery’s absence, LSU has turned to true freshman Corey Kiner as the top understudy to Tyrion Davis-Price. Kiner led the Tigers in rushing for the second consecutive week, gaining 74 yards and a touchdown in a 49-21 win over Central Michigan.

Emery, who has not played in 2021, ran for 396 yards and three touchdowns in nine games last season.

Adam Hunsucker covers LSU for the USA Today Network. Email Adam at ahunsucker@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @adam_hunsucker