Mississippi State basketball guard Cameren Paul says he has torn his Achilles again

Mississippi State men's basketball guard Cameren Paul says he has torn his Achilles tendon again. The injury could cost him a second straight season.

Paul shared the news Sunday evening in an Instagram story, On3 reported. He posted a photo of himself in the training room with the caption "Tore Achilles again man I need prayers." He first tore the Achilles in February 2026, and head coach Chris Jans announced that injury at the time.

The setback is a hard one because Paul was close to returning. On3 reported that he had gone back to basketball activities and practiced in Mississippi State's open practice in September. He redshirted last season before the first tear in February. Now another long rehab stands between him and his first real minutes in a Bulldogs uniform. The program has not released a timeline or treatment plan, and none has been reported.

The news comes as the basketball program begins its public buildup to the season, which is less than a month away. On3 reported that Jans will go to SEC Media Days this week with guard Josh Hubbard, RJ Johnson and Thomas Bassong to preview the season. Questions about Paul and the backcourt depth behind Hubbard will likely come up there.

Paul's injury does not touch the football roster. It does arrive during a big week for Mississippi State athletics. The No. 16 football Bulldogs (4-1) visit No. 22 LSU (4-2) on Saturday at noon Eastern on ESPN. For both ranked teams, the result will shape their position in the SEC race as the season reaches its midpoint.

The market has LSU as a clear favorite despite the higher ranking for the visitors. On Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, LSU is favored at -355. The Tigers are favored by 11.5 points, with a total of 58.5. FanDuel has the best sportsbook price on LSU at -400. Full numbers are on the Mississippi State at LSU game page.

That line suggests the market is not convinced by Mississippi State's 4-1 start, at least on the road in Baton Rouge. A win would add a ranked conference road victory to the Bulldogs' résumé and give them a real claim to their ranking.

On the basketball side, Jans and his staff will spend the coming weeks setting a rotation without Paul again. The Bulldogs had hoped he would add depth to a guard group led by Hubbard. For now, Paul faces another long recovery.