LSU injuries pile up early as several players ruled out for McNeese, linebacker Small lost for season

Injuries have been added to insult following LSU’s season-opening loss at UCLA.

According to head coach Ed Orgeron during his weekly press conference Tuesday, linebacker Jared Small is out for the season due to an undisclosed injury suffered before the UCLA game.

Five Tigers including both starting offensive tackles are also ruled out for the Saturday home opener against McNeese State:

RT Austin Deculus
DE Soni Fonua
DE Ali Gaye
WR Jontre Kirklin
LT Cam Wire

Deculus and Wire both suffered injuries in the UCLA game. Orgeon did not specify why Kirklin and Fonua, both of which did not play in Week 1, remain unavailable to play.

Starting free safety Jay Ward is also doubtful for the McNeese game.

Orgeron also gave insight into why running back John Emery Jr. did not play in Pasadena. His status is “unknown” due to academic issues.