LSU’s offensive line has been in a state of flux since the start of preseason camp.

When the Tigers reported to campus in early August, they thought the offensive line had the potential to be a team strength, and it might yet be one. But things have not gone as planned.

LSU has yet to start the combination it envisioned in the summer and it has yet to start the same combination two games in a row, a trend that will continue when the Tigers play Ole Miss on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.

First, starting right guard Ed Ingram’s suspension was announced as LSU was preparing to begin preseason practice. It was later revealed that the indefinite suspension was the result of Ingram being investigated for sexual assault. No one knows if Ingram will be reinstated at any point this season.

Each week the depth chart has to be written in pencil with uncertainty surrounding the starting unit right up until kickoff – and remaining until the final whistle.

Nonetheless, the line has persevered throughout the changes, performing inconsistently, but more positively than negatively than the changes would suggest.

Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The weekly adjustments continued Monday. Coach Ed Orgeron said starting left guard Garrett Brumfield (No. 78, above) will not play against the Rebels because of a knee injury suffered in the 38-21 victory against Louisiana Tech last Saturday.

Left tackle Saahdiq Charles, who missed Saturday’s game for an undisclosed reason, is considered questionable. Right tackle Adrian Magee, who has not played since injuring his left knee in the season opener, returned to practice Monday and is questionable.

The performance of the line has changed almost as regularly as the unit’s components have.

Orgeron was not pleased with the way the Miami and Southeastern Louisiana defensive lines were able to make plays in the LSU backfield, even though LSU won both games pretty easily to start the season. The coach cited “technical errors that we can fix” in the wake of an uninspired performance against SLU.

But Orgeron maintained confidence in the unit, predicting “our offensive line is going to have its best game Saturday” against Auburn in the SEC opener two weeks ago.

Though it had a battle on its hands against Auburn’s formidable front, the line lived up to Orgeron’s expectations as the Tigers prevailed 22-21. It was solid again in a 38-21 victory against Louisiana Tech even as the pieces continued to be moved around.

When Ingram was suspended, LSU moved JUCO recruit Damien Lewis, who was in the mix to play at left guard or center, to Ingram’s spot at right guard.

Early in the opener, Magee was lost to the knee injury and he was replaced by another JUCO recruit, Badara Traore, who was listed as a co-starter anyway. Traore has been up and down while playing left and right tackle.

Charles was a late scratch for the game against SLU for an undisclosed reason, though it was widely reported that he was suspended for the game.

Austin Deculus started in Charles’ place against Auburn, but Charles returned to start against Auburn, allowing Deculus to move to right tackle.

The interior of the line has been the most stable since Ingram’s suspension with Brumfield, center Lloyd Cushenberry III and Lewis all starting each game.

But that will change Saturday as true freshman Chasen Hines replaces Brumfield as he had to do when Brumfield left the game against Auburn temporarily because of a shoulder injury and left the game against Louisiana Tech permanently because of the knee injury.

“Chasen has been a plus,” Orgeron said Monday during his weekly news conference. “He played well and he he’ll have to start for us this week. I think he’s done a good job. He’s big, physical. He can handle the physical task and I think he’s handled the mental task so far.”