Junior center T-Bob Hebert broke his leg in Saturday's scrimmage and will miss the remainder of spring practice, LSU football coach Les Miles said Saturday.
Hebert, who had been battling with sophomore P.J. Lonergan for the center spot this spring, will have surgery on the broken bone but is expected to fully recover in time for the start of the season in August.
"It's a broken bone and it will be something that is fixed, and he will have no long-term residual issue," Miles said.
Injuries have plagued a good portion of Hebert's career at LSU. He suffered a season-ending knee injury against South Carolina in 2008 and has spent most of the spring nicked up.
Hebert started 11 games for LSU last year after earning beating out Lonergan for the starting spot in preseason camp.
Junior guard Will Blackwell will fill in at center behind Lonergan for the remainder of the spring.
Miles and his staff put the Tigers through a 130-play scrimmage for the second week in a row in their final full-scale tune-up before next weekend's National L Club Spring Football Game.
"The defense just flew to the ball," Miles said. "Their presence was felt. There was speed on the field. They did not miss tackles; they were stripping and getting after the ball. It's just how a defense is supposed to look."
Redshirt freshman defensive end Sam Montgomery and senior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard spearheaded the defensive performance with eight tackles and five tackles, respectively.
The defense did allow four touchdowns, but limited junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson to 6-of-13 passing for 94 yards and a touchdown.
While Miles was thoroughly impressed with the defensive unit Saturday, the offense remains a point of improvement.
"I don't know if I'm seeing the tempo that I want to see on the offensive side," he said.
Jefferson did manage to connect with junior tight end Deangelo Peterson on a 77-yard touchdown strike.
Junior quarterback Jarrett Lee led the offense with 140 passing yards and two touchdowns, a 33-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Russell Shepard and a 12-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Chris Tolliver.
"Our receivers made some really nice catches, but the consistency of that group must improve," Miles said. "We are very talented and we have ability. We have people that can make you miss, but they must improve. They are not at this point in time where they are going to be when fall comes around, and that improvement needs to take place."
Redshirt freshman running back Michael Ford continued to impress this spring, leading the Tigers on the ground with 76 yards on 16 carries.
"Michael makes a nice, natural cut," Miles said. "He gets up into space and comes out the other side if he can. He's a good runner and he's going to give up some good carries this fall."
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Contact Sean Isabella at sisabella@lsureveille.com
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