WBRZ reporters are inside a hearing between LSU and SEC leaders concerning eligibility for potential Tigers who were formerly signed to NFL teams.

- 3:15 p.m.: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is called back to the stand. 

- 3 p.m.: Players begin taking the stand after three hours of testimony from Sankey. Up first is LSU women's soccer player Jazmin Ferguson, who has already played in a game this season. The women's soccer team is set to play Baylor at 7 p.m. tonight.

- 2:45 p.m.: Attorneys for players attempting to join LSU's roster say athletes will take the stand Thursday afternoon. 

- 2:15 p.m.: Sankey says that, while he hasn't read the 2026 NCAA manual, the conference follows NCAA rules on professionalism that specify professional players are not eligible to play in college sports. "NFL is not a training ground for college football," Sankey said. 

- 1:30 p.m.: Sankey argues over specifics concerning conference bylaws relating to player eligibility. 

- 12:15 p.m.: WBRZ reports SEC suing LSU in federal court. READ STORY HERE

- 12:00 p.m.: Sankey takes the stand in 19th JDC. 

- 11 a.m.: Civil court hearing between LSU players formerly on NFL rosters and the SEC begins.

THESE ARE BREAKING UPDATES. READ THE ORIGINAL STORY BELOW

As of now, the SEC is not allowed to punish schools for playing a college football player who returns after participating in NFL activities. 

This is according to an order signed by a Louisiana state judge, after both Southern University and LSU said they would bring back what are called "5-in-5" players.

A new NCAA rule change allows student-athletes five seasons of competition within a five-year window. This change, announced in June, is one of the biggest changes to Division I eligibility in decades. 

"What the court has seemed to indicate is no, they get to play and by extension they can't be penalized. The team can't be penalized. I suspect it will not be a full contempt of court hearing; there will be some kind of resolution at least for this year. To say, okay, if we're going to change policies and procedures, we'll do it next year," legal expert Franz Borghardt said.

Following the eligibility changes, LSU head coach Lane Kiffin planned to add tight end Dae'Quan Wright, defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and former Denver Broncos defensive back Blake Cotton, who have been recruited by new LSU coach Lane Kiffin, to LSU's roster. 

"The guys that are in discussions during court cases and getting eligibility are players that maybe went to a mini camp or got cut in a training camp on a 90-man roster, and they didn't make final rosters," Kiffin said, arguing in favor of allowing Harris and Wright to play as Tigers.

On Thursday, Governor Jeff Landry echoed Kiffin's sentiments while firing back at Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, who reportedly sent a letter to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey calling for LSU's suspension or expulsion from the conference. 

Calling them “NFL players” is at best disingenuous, and at worst intentionally deceptive @AGAlanWilson & @Georgia_AG.

They are not professional football players circling back after years in the NFL. They are college players who were told, by the NCAA, that they were done. So…

— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) September 3, 2026

Their status on LSU's roster ahead of Saturday's debut against Clemson is pending a Thursday court hearing in the 19th JDC in downtown Baton Rouge.