Walter Nolen injury update: Lane Kiffin shuts down rumors around Ole Miss DT in Week 2 press conference

Ole Miss once again dominated its opponents in Week 2 of the 2024 college football season. Coach Lane Kiffin's No. 6-ranked Rebels faced the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Saturday and easily defeated them 52-3.

However, things were not all plain sailing for the Rebels, as they lost top defensive tackle Walter Nolen to injury in the second quarter.

After the game, Kiffin spoke to the media about Nolen's injury and his decision not to allow the player to play the rest of the game.

"You know we don't comment much on that," Kiffin said. "But to help our fans on that, it was my decision not to put him back in, not a medical decision."

During the second quarter of Ole Miss' game, Nolen was helped off the field by staffers from the team. He was seen trying not to put much weight on his left leg, implying that any injury occurred on this leg.

After a period in the injury tent, Nolen emerged still in pads but easily moved around the sidelines, suggesting that whatever injury he has may not be serious.

As Kiffin said, his decision to not put Nolen in for the rest of the game was not medical but one made by the coach himself. It was likely to protect Nolen from a more serious injury.

How important is Walter Nolen to Ole Miss?

Walter Nolen is one of the top defensive players in the Ole Miss Rebels program. He is a new arrival to Oxford, having transferred from the Texas A&M Aggies during the offseason.

While with the Aggies, Nolen recorded 66 tackles in the two seasons he was with the program, recording five sacks and one fumble recovery.

But now in his third year in college football, Nolen is set to become a leader in the Ole Miss defense, which, unlike Texas A&M, is a program that is a contender for a spot in the College Football Playoff. He already has four tackles to his name, but his missed half against Middle Tennessee put this total on a small hiatus.

Luckily for Ole Miss, there has been no indication that Walter Nolen's injury will need a long time out, and he should be able to return to action next week when the Rebels take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.