LSU's Key cleared to play after shoulder surgery

Sep 11, 2017 - 6:37 PM No. 12 LSU is expecting to have All-SEC outside linebacker Arden Key back from injury for its conference opener at Mississippi State on Saturday, coach Ed Orgeron said Monday.

Key, who set a school record with 12 sacks last season, underwent offseason shoulder surgery in early June. He was limited through camp and did not play in the Tigers' 2-0 start to the season.

"Arden Key has been cleared to play this week," Orgeron said. "He's going to work hard all week in full contact, and we're going to play him as much as we can. We'll see during the week how much he can do."

Key, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound junior, is ranked the fifth-best prospect for the 2018 draft by NFLDraftScout.com.

He was widely considered a 2017 preseason All-American after a season that in which he made 56 tackles, including 14.5 for loss.

LSU takes on the 2-0 Bulldogs on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in Starkville, Miss.