Ole Miss: Denzel Nkemdiche’s condition improving, not life-threatening

(AP Photo/Butch Dill) Ole Miss linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche has officially been ruled out for Saturday’s game against LSU and will remain hospitalized.

In a statement released Thursday via Ole Miss athletics, Nkemdiche’s parents and Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze said that Nkemdiche’s condition is “not life-threatening.”

“Denzel’s condition has improved as of today, and he will remain in the hospital,” the statement says. “His well-being is all that matters right now, and we are making sure he receives the highest level of medical care. While his condition is not life-threatening, he will not play this weekend. We thank the Ole Miss family for their concern and encouragement, and we appreciate everyone respecting the family’s privacy during this time.”

According to a Wednesday report from RebelGrove.com, Nkemdiche has been hospitalized since Monday for undisclosed reasons. The report says Nkemdiche “did hot report with his teammates Sunday” when the team “reconvened from an open date to begin preparations” for Saturday’s game against LSU. He was then “found on Monday and taken to the hospital.”

Freeze said Wednesday that Nkemdiche was dealing with a “personal matter.”

“We are going to walk through it with him,” Freeze said. “When issues come up that you need to get through that involve one of our players and anything with their family, we just want to support them and help them through it.”

Before the statement was released, Nkemdiche’s father, Dr. Sunday Nkemdiche, told the Associated Press that Denzel was “up and talking” and he expected Denzel to be released on Thursday.

Nkemdiche leads the Rebels with 53 tackles this season. He is the older brother of standout defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche.

For more Ole Miss news, visit RebelGrove.com.