Michael Bonner

The Clarion-Ledger

Mississippi State didn't have much depth on the offensive line entering 2014. It's even worse after last Friday's scrimmage.

MSU coach Dan Mullen announced on Monday that Damien Robinson will miss the entire season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. The injury leaves a gaping hole at right tackle.

Williams was slated to replace Charles Siddoway. Now Mullen has a couple of options. The first is turning to Robinson's reserves in Justin Senior, Rufus Warren and Cole Carter.

The problem is the trio has never played a game on the offensive line. Senior and Carter both enter their third year on the team, but were limited to special teams last season. MSU converted Warren to tackle from tight end this spring.

"That was a position you weren't deep at. You were hoping that a Justin Senior and Rufus could really spend this year in the supporting cast instead of the starring role," Mullen said. "But hey sometimes in Hollywood you get your breaks at the right place and the right time."

The second option is to move Justin Malone from guard to tackle. Sophomore Jamaal Clayborn would take Malone's spot at guard.

Whatever Mullen's decision, he has 11 days to contemplate.

"When an injury strikes the (offensive line) combination may change," Mullen said. "That's one of the things we have to be prepared to do and look, what's the best combination going to be?"