LSU is finding that the problem with a declawed cat is that it can still bare its teeth.
As the school continues to fight a protracted battle against the SEC that seems to be destined for the courts, the Tigers' roster for the season opener was reportedly missing a few notable names, per Pete Thamel: NFL camp participants Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who were expected to be rostered after being granted a preliminary injunction by a Louisiana judge on Sept. 3. The SEC later issued a statement that it expects schools to follow its rules.
The move comes in the wake of the SEC threatening dramatic action against teams rostering players who were previously
on NFL rosters, including:
- 50% of season suspension for head coaches
- 50% of that sport's annual operating budget
- SEC voting privileges revoked on some matters
While it was initially reported the conference's charter members unanimously voted in approval of the punishments, it was later reported LSU abstained from the vote.
In an interesting twist, LSU only filled 103 of its 105 roster spots, leaving a path for Wright and Harris to be added at a later date.
Why were Zxavian Harris, Dae'Quan Wright left off LSU's roster?
Although the ruling from Judge William Jorden opened the door for LSU to roster Wright and Harris, there is a tremendous amount of scrutiny surrounding the two names.
LSU has been under heavy fire for considering carrying the two on its 105-man roster, and the SEC has promised steep punishments against teams trying to play players who were previously with NFL teams. In a move that preempted Jorden's ruling, the SEC filed suit against LSU and Lane Kiffin, claiming that its First Amendment rights were being violated by LSU playing the players at direct odds with SEC rules.
With that in mind, though the preliminary injunction prevents the NCAA, SEC, or LSU from taking action against the players, the threat of retribution from the SEC is still very real, and if LSU rosters Harris and Wright it runs the risk of retroactive punishment in all games they participate in. In other words, they're being left off until there's more clarity.
Can Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris be added to LSU roster later?
This saga, of course, isn't over.
With two roster spots open, LSU is sending a clear message it wants Wright and Harris on the team. The two are enrolled at LSU, so they can be added later.
However, with the amount of uncertainty hanging in the air over this situation, LSU is clearly trying to slow-play it until it knows it can get away with having the two on the team. It's a half-measure, to be sure, but ultimately the door is very much open to add Wright and Harris later.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LSU leaves Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris off roster as SEC punishment threats linger
