Denzel Nkemdiche, the standout senior linebacker for No. 22 Ole Miss, will remain in the hospital and will miss Saturday's game against No. 15 LSU, his family and coach said in a joint statement Thursday.
Nkemdiche's father had told the Associated Press in a text message earlier Thursday that his son has been in the hospital in Oxford, Mississippi. No reason was given.
"Denzel's condition has improved as of today, and he will remain in the hospital," Nkemdiche's parents, Beverly and Sunday, and Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement. "His wellbeing 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."
Freeze previously said Nkemdiche was dealing with a "personal issue."
"It's just day by day," Freeze told reporters Wednesday. "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.
"We are going to walk through it with him."
Nkemdiche has played in all 10 games for the Rebels (7-3, 4-2 SEC), leading the team in tackles with 53. His younger brother, Robert Nkemdiche, is a junior at Ole Miss and was selected as a preseason All-SEC first-teamer.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.