LSU will be down a defensive lineman for the remainder of the 2019 season.

Ed Orgeron announced Tuesday that junior defensive tackle Justin Thomas has left the team.

“Justin Thomas has withdrawn from school for personal reasons,” Orgeron told reporters at his Tuesday post-practice press conference. “Hopefully, he’ll be back in the spring.”

Last month, Orgeron praised Thomas for helping LSU to a Week 7 win over Florida.

“Justin Thomas, turning into one of our defensive line pass-rushers. Michael Divinity in the middle. The sack at the end ignited the crowd. We’re going to have to find a way to rush those four and play coverage.

“Justin Thomas coming in on third down. Our guys never got tired during the game. I told our coaches we have to be able to rotate, win the game in the fourth quarter. I was proud of our rotation. Our guys were ready to go.”

Thomas appeared in five games this season, recording eight tackles, including two TFL and a sack.