Short answer: Garrett Nussmeier’s 2025 season at LSU has been rocky, culminating in him being benched in favor of Michael Van Buren late in the season, with reports of an abdominal/torso issue that affected his play earlier in the year. Context and key developments

• Health and performance in 2025: Reports indicate Nussmeier dealt with a torso/abdomen injury during the season and played through pain, which contributed to inconsistent performance and accuracy issues in the early weeks. He described feeling frustrated and briefly “helpless” as the injury persisted, and sources noted a noticeable decline in his production as the season progressed.

• Injury impact on availability and play: The abdominal/torso issue limited his practice and throwing; coaches described a pitch-count approach early and later acknowledged the injury’s toll on his effectiveness. These factors helped explain the dip in efficiency relative to prior expectations for a Heisman-level preseason buzz.

• Bench decision and later developments: In Week 11 or around that period, LSU interim coach Frank Wilson benched Nussmeier in favor of sophomore Michael Van Buren, signaling a significant shift at quarterback for the Tigers. Subsequent coverage noted Van Buren seeing extended action and the team moving forward with the newer option.

• Media context and narrative: Coverage from outlets during this period described the situation as a dramatic turn for a player who entered the year as a top NFL/Draft prospect and a preseason Heisman favorite, highlighting how injuries, consistency, and offensive line play contributed to the bench decision and the team’s trajectory.

Notes on sources

• The information above is drawn from multiple contemporaneous reports and game coverage, including detailed pieces on Nussmeier’s injury, performance, and the benching decision. If you’d like, I can pull specific articles or summarize the most recent updates in a focused timeline.