LSU will be down three starters, two from its already-thin offensive line, among the five players who will be unavailable for the Tigers’ home opener Saturday against McNeese State.

Head coach Ed Orgeron said Tuesday that both offensive tackles, Austin Deculus and Cam Wire, would miss the game, as well as starting defensive end Ali Gaye.

Others ruled out were backup defensive end Soni Fonua and wide receiver Jontre Kirklin, both of whom also missed last week’s game at UCLA, reportedly due to academic issues.

Running back John Emery, who also reportedly missed the opener for academic reasons, remains unavailable, but Orgeron said that could change before Saturday.

“I will not know until the end of the week,” Orgeron said of Emery. “Right now, he’s unavailable. That could change. I will not know that until Friday.”

Deculus was injured during the UCLA game but returned. Orgeron did not say if Wire’s absence was injury related.

“Guys are going to have to step up,” he said, particularly in the offensive line, which struggled in the season opener against UCLA. “We’re going to play some young guys, mix and match and see what’s the best thing for our team.”

Charles Turner and Anthony Bradford are the likely replacements for the two tackles.