LSU won a legal battle Thursday night but chose not to fight the cultural war that came with it.

The Tigers released their roster Friday afternoon without Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, two former NFL players who expected to join the team just 48 hours before the season opener against Clemson. Despite a Louisiana judge's temporary injunction clearing the path for their return, LSU decided the controversy wasn't worth the chaos.

The decision caps a dramatic week that saw LSU collide with the SEC in a Baton Rouge courtroom over a fundamental question: should players who signed NFL contracts be allowed to return to college football?

The Legal Victory Nobody Used

Judge William Jorden granted the injunction Thursday night, opening the door for Wright, Harris, and roughly 40 other former college athletes to bypass NCAA and SEC rules prohibiting pros from returning to amateur sports. Both players told reporters they expected to be added to LSU's roster Friday.

LSU president Wade Rousse released a statement earlier Friday saying university leadership was reviewing the pertinent judicial decisions, laws and policies — but notably did not commit to actually rostering the players.

By Friday afternoon, the Tigers made their choice: neither Wright nor Harris would suit up against Clemson on September 7.

The Backlash Was Already Building

The decision came amid mounting criticism from across college football. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian called the idea of adding NFL players "morally wrong," arguing it disrespected athletes who had spent nine months preparing for the season.

"These players on all of our rosters, not just ours, have been working for nine months for this moment on Saturday, which then will lead into the next five to six months," Sarkisian said.

The backlash reflected a deeper tension in college football: NIL money and transfer portal freedom have already blurred the lines between amateur and professional sports. Adding players who actually signed NFL contracts felt like a bridge too far for many coaches and administrators.

Lane Kiffin's Reversal

LSU coach Lane Kiffin, who initially said Monday his players wanted the former pros to join the team, went silent as the weekend approached. The roster release answered the question Kiffin wouldn't.

Wright spent time with an NFL team this summer before seeking a return to college. Harris, who played defensive tackle for Ole Miss last season, also pursued the NFL before attempting to return.

What It Means for LSU

The Tigers open the 2026 season Saturday night in Baton Rouge against Clemson, both teams hoping to rebound from disappointing 7-6 campaigns last year. LSU will do it without the two players who thought they'd gotten a second chance at college football.

For Wright and Harris, the injunction remains in effect — meaning they could theoretically join another school willing to roster them. But LSU's decision sets a precedent: even when the law says you can, doesn't mean you should.

The SEC and NCAA continue to battle the injunction in court, and LSU's choice to stay out of the fight may influence how other schools approach similar situations. Sometimes winning in court isn't the same as winning in the court of public opinion.