Arden Key will be back with LSU football once more on Monday after taking a leave of absence for undisclosed personal reasons, and he’ll have a new and improved shoulder according to the university Sunday night.
“Arden had shoulder surgery and everything went as planned,” head coach Ed Orgeron said. “We are looking forward to having Arden rejoin the team tomorrow (Monday).”
Key has been gone from LSU since the beginning February, when the school announced he had missed spring practice for “personal reasons”.
Many expected Key to eventually make a return to the Bayou Bengals team after hearing the news. Orgeron announced roughly two weeks ago that he anticipated the All-America edge rusher would be back with the team Monday when summer classes begin for the Tigers.
Key looked to have injured his shoulder in the Nov. 19 loss against Florida. He missed the Thanksgiving game against the Aggies while suspended, but was also suffering from the injury per Orgeron.
No details have been released in regards as to why exactly Key took this extended break.
The temporary loss of Key was a major deal for LSU, as he earned first team All-SEC honors and set the LSU sack record last season with 12. He’s been a vital piece of the team’s defense, racking up 97 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss and 17 sacks in 23 career games.