BATON ROUGE — As LSU football inches closer to the start of the 2024 season, its injury list is growing longer.

That's the bad news. The good news is Tigers head coach Brian Kelly doesn't believe any injuries are going to affect any players' availability for the season opener against USC in Las Vegas next Sunday night (6:30 p.m., ABC).

Senior right guard Miles Frazier and sophomore linebacker West Weeks did not participate in LSU's 17th preseason practice Wednesday morning. Both were seen sporting walking boots and were off to the side while the team worked through a two-hour session on the practice fields.

Junior defensive back Sage Ryan, wide receiver Chris Hilton and freshman receiver Jelani Watkins also did not practice but were seen out with the team as well.

Ryan is contending with a grade one hamstring injury, Hilton has a bone bruise and Watkins continues to deal with a foot sprain.

REQUIRED READING How CB Ashton Stamps became a bright spot for LSU football's defense this preseason

REQUIRED READING These position groups have stood out most during LSU football preseason practice

According to Kelly, while the injury list' length isn't ideal, he feel confident that he'll have all of his guys healthy and ready to go against the Trojans.

"These are injuries that should clear up this week," Kelly told reporters following the team's practice Wednesday. "We'll have them back full-go for preparation for USC. I think we've got an ankle with Miles Frazier, Hilton's a bone bruise but one that we feel like he should be back by this weekend as well.

"I think three or four guys, kind of the bumps and bruises of camp. But we feel good about their availability next weekend."

In Frazier's absence, freshman Tyree Adams worked at right guard with the first-team offensive line. J.K. Johnson spelled Ryan at cornerback with the first-team defense while freshman receiver Kyle Parker got most of the reps at Hilton's receiver position.

LSU, who is ranked No. 12 in the LMB Coaches preseason poll, has been fortunate to avoid any major injuries during fall camp as just a handful of guys have missed practice time this August.

LSU OL SHUFFLING Stomach 'bug' forces LSU football to shuffle up offensive line during Saturday practice

LSU FOOTBALL PRESEASON TAKEAWAYS What we've learned about LSU football halfway through preseason practice: Top 10 takeaways

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz atbdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: What LSU football coach Brian Kelly said about Miles Frazier, others' injuries