BATON ROUGE — As of now, the SEC is not allowed to punish schools for playing a college football player who returns after participating in NFL activities. 

This is according to an order signed by a Louisiana state judge, after both Southern University and LSU said they would bring back what are called "5-in-5" players.

A new NCAA rule change allows student-athletes five seasons of competition within a five-year window. This change, announced in June, is one of the biggest changes to Division I eligibility in decades. 

"What the court has seemed to indicate is no, they get to play and by extension they can't be penalized. The team can't be penalized. I suspect it will not be a full contempt of court hearing; there will be some kind of resolution at least for this year. To say, okay, if we're going to change policies and procedures, we'll do it next year," legal expert Franz Borghardt said.

Following the eligibility changes, LSU head coach Lane Kiffin planned to add tight end Dae'Quan Wright, defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and former Denver Broncos defensive back Blake Cotton, who have been recruited by new LSU coach Lane Kiffin, to LSU's roster. 

"The guys that are in discussions during court cases and getting eligibility are players that maybe went to a mini camp or got cut in a training camp on a 90-man roster, and they didn't make final rosters," Kiffin said, arguing in favor of allowing Harris and Wright to play as Tigers.

Their status on LSU's roster ahead of Saturday's debut against Clemson is pending a Thursday court hearing in the 19th JDC in downtown Baton Rouge. The hearing is set to start at 11 a.m.