Four Snaps and a TD Was All He Had: Austin Simmons' Injury Worse Than Feared, Chambliss Takes the Reins for Ole Miss

In a stunning reversal of expectations, the No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels are preparing to enter their Week 4 showdown against Tulane with backup quarterback Trinidad Chambliss expected to be under center for the second straight week.

This development comes as a surprise after head coach Lane Kiffin publicly stated earlier in the week that he anticipated his primary starter, Austin Simmons, would be healthy enough to return to the lineup. However, sources close to the program have confirmed that Simmons' nagging ankle injury has kept him limited in practice, forcing the team to change course.

The mystery surrounding Simmons' health deepened following his brief, dramatic appearance last week against Arkansas. The star QB was on the field for a mere four snaps—just long enough to throw a 4-yard touchdown pass. But that short-lived return came at a cost, as he reportedly aggravated the same ankle issue he first sustained in Week 2, sending him back to the sideline for the remainder of the game.

While Simmons watched, Trinidad Chambliss seized the opportunity, putting on a dazzling performance that has now earned him another start. His command of the offense against the Razorbacks has clearly given the coaching staff the confidence to rely on him again in a crucial matchup against the Tulane Green Wave.

The handling of Simmons' injury status has been notably guarded. Last week, Ole Miss did not include him on the pre-game availability report, only for Chambliss to ultimately take the first snap. The Rebels will be able to maintain that same level of secrecy this week; as it is a nonconference game, the team is not obligated to provide an availability report, leaving Tulane guessing about the Rebels' quarterback situation.

While Chambliss is set to lead the charge, reports suggest that Simmons could still be available in a limited, emergency-only capacity. For now, the spotlight belongs to Chambliss, as the Rebels look to him to keep their high-octane offense firing on all cylinders while their star quarterback continues to mend.