Veteran LSU running back John Emery left the field in the middle of practice Saturday morning and was unable to return after consulting with a trainer.

Emery, a sixth-year player who is battling back from a torn right ACL suffered last November, was examined while lying on the ground for several minutes before getting up.

Later, the former five-star Destrehan High School player walked carefully along the sideline, trying to stretch his surgically restored knee, which is protected by a slim brace, and rode an exercise bike for a few minutes.

Because LSU coach Brian Kelly was not scheduled to meet with the media after practice on Saturday, there was no immediate update on Emery’s status.

When the Tigers began preseason practice on Aug. 1, Emery was an active participant and was intentionally assigned a heavy workload after that practice, Kelly said.

“He had to cut, he had to be under pressure,” Kelly said at the time. “He’s free, so we wanted every rep he got to be a high-leverage rep. We didn’t want him out there just blocking or doing a rep that didn’t force him to put his foot on the ground and accelerate.”

“We really want to put pressure on him and make sure he’s comfortable with his knee. Because when he’s comfortable, he’s fearless and he’ll keep going.”

LSU cannot afford an injury at that position, with only three other scholarship players in camp and likely available for the season – sixth-year player Josh Williams, sophomore Kaleb Jackson and true freshman Caden Durham.