“This is not the news I wanted to share for this upcoming season…” said 2023 Pan American Games gold medalist Zoe Miller. The LSU Tigers recruit suffered a massive shoulder injury in February that shattered her Olympic dreams. An MRI showed that the gymnast tore her labrum, causing serious damage. According to the All Things Gymnastics Podcast, Miller will take six to twelve months more to recover.

The U.S. national team member who trains and has shared the stage with Simone Biles injured her shoulder during the Winter Cup. However, the injury showed only marginal improvement, and in April, Miller ended her elite career. “I am 100% prioritizing my full recovery to be ready for college,” the 18-year-old announced on social media.

Just a couple of days ago, Zoe Miller even posted the first pictures of herself in the LSU Tigers attire. However, today’s post (September 25) spells trouble for the gymnast’s upcoming freshman season at Louisiana State. However, Miller is still “Praying to be back better than ever.” Thankfully, LSU icon Olivia Dunne is here for the future Lady Tiger. “Love u twin,” Livvy commented on Miller’s post.

21-year-old NCAA champion Olivia Dunne is all too familiar with labrum injuries. “I have two torn labrums,” Dunne confessed in episode six of The Money Game. In fact, the highest-valued NIL athlete found herself in a similar position after suffering a plethora of injuries in 2023. Hence, it’s safe to say that the star who nearly missed LSU’s 2024 historic season wished for Miller’s recovery from the bottom of her heart.

However, Olivia Dunne wasn’t the only LSU gymnast who hoped for the best. Another Tigers gymnast and future teammate, Kylie Coen, wished Miller a smooth road ahead. “Praying for you and a fast recovery,” wrote Coen. However, Zoe Miller’s recovery seems to be going quite slowly. Despite putting all her efforts into recovery and rehab, it is difficult to say when she’ll return.

In April, the 18-year-old wrote that the recovery was going slow “despite therapy and rest.” However, things seemed to be going in the right direction until her latest post. There’s also a lack of clarity around what exactly happened.

Will Zoe Miller return this year?

While USA Gymnastics official Instagram handle commented: “Minor setback for a major comeback!!!” things may be a bit more complicated. The first image shows the LSU recruit giving a thumbs-up from the hospital bed with the left shoulder draped in a white sheet. The following one shows Miller in a wheelchair with a right arm in a sling.

“She had 5 anchors placed in her shoulder & will not be able to compete this season.” read today’s update from All Things Gymnastics on X. Zoe Miller herself didn’t verify the claim on social media. Instead, she wrote, “I need this year to be over already… lordddd.” on X. However, All Things Gymnastics’s post suggests that the LSU recruit will have to sit out the upcoming season.

Despite the gloomy news, the gymnastics community is positive that Miller will make a speedy recovery. “Praying for a speedy recovery,” wrote Team USA Gymnastics’ youngest member and Paris 2024 team-gold medalist Hezly Rivera. 2024 NCAA championship-winning LSU gymnast Sierra Ballard sounded similarly optimistic. “Comeback of the century,” she commented.

However, as things stand, the two Pam-Am Games gold medalists may not be able to sport LSU’s purple and gold colors until 2025 rolls around. If that happens, then fans will miss what would be the iconic linkup between Olivia Dunne and Zoe Miller on the same team. The upcoming season will be Dunne’s final season as a gymnast. However, despite the grim situation, Zoe Miller will find the gymnastics community beside no matter how long it takes to recover.