Mississippi State's official depth chart for Alcorn State released

Mississippi State linebacker Branden Jennings (#44) during the game between the Arizona State University Sun Devils and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Mississippi State's official depth chart has some significant changes, and not in a good way.

Coach Jeff Lebby announced earlier today two key injuries to starting players and that change is reflected in this week's depth chart.

"Just an update on Will (Whitson) and Blake Steen, both of those guys are down for the season," Lebby said during his Monday press conference. "So, won't get either one of them back. Incredible opportunity for our next guys in not going to have either one of those guys."

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Later, when asked if Whitson might be able to return next season, Lebby said that process is underway.

"We sure hope so," Lebby said. "We're in the middle of that right now. So, we sure hope so."

Both Whitson and Steen have been removed from the official depth. The only other change of note is the addition of Jayvin James at left tackle. James started Saturday's game against Arizona State at left tackle after not being included at any offensive line position in last week's depth chart.

Mississippi State Official Depth Chart: Week 3

Mississippi State's official depth vs. Alcorn State. | Mississippi State Athletics

Offense

Mississippi State Bulldogs fans crowd around quarterback Blake Shapen (2) after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devilsat Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Quarterback

Blake Shapen
Luke Kromenhoek or Kamario Taylor

Mississippi State Running Back Fluff Bothwell (#24) during the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Running Back

Davon Booth or Fluff Bothwell
Johnnie Daniels

Mississippi State Wide Receiver Brenen Thompson (#0) during the game between the Arizona State University Sun Devils and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athleticsf

Wide Receiver

Brenen Thompson
Markus Allen
Jaron Glover or Cam Thompson

Wide Receiver

Jordan Mosley
Ayden Williams or Sanfrisco Magee

Mississippi State Wide Receiver Anthony Evans III (#3) during the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Slot Receiver

Anthony Evans III
Ricky Johnson

Mississippi State Tight End Seydou Traore (#8) during Gameday V. Arizona State University at Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Tight End

Seydou Traore
Cam Ball or Sam West or Max Reese

Mississippi State Defensive Lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones (#22), Mississippi State Linebacker Branden Jennings (#44), Mississippi State Offensive Lineman Albert Reese IV (#76) and Mississippi State Tight End Seydou Traore (#8) during the game between the Arizona State University Sun Devils and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Left Tackle

Jayvin James or Jimothy Lewis Jr.

Left Guard

LG Jacoby Jackson or Luke Work

Mississippi State Offensive Lineman Canon Boone (#72) during the game between the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Center

Canon Boone or Brennan Smith
Koby Keenum

Right Guard

Zack Owens or Trevor Mayberry

Right Tackle

Albert Reese IV
Jakheem Shumpert

Defense

Defensive Tackle

Kedricky Bingley-Jones
DJ Reed or Ashun Shepphard

Mississippi State Defensive Lineman Kalvin Dinkins (#35) during the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Nose Tackle

Jaray Bledsoe
Kalvin Dinkins or Jamil Burroughs

Defensive End

Deonte Anderson or Trevion Williams or Red Hibbler or Joesph Head

Mississippi State Linebacker Branden Jennings (#44) during Gameday V. Arizona State University at Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Jack

Branden Jenning or Malick Sylla
Nevaeh Sanders or LaKendrick James

Arizona State Sun Devils running back Raleek Brown (3) runs the ball as Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Nic Mitchell (40) attempts to make the tackle during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Mike

Nic Mitchell
Jalen Smith or Fatt Forest

Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) runs the ball as Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Zakari Tillman (7) makes the tackle during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Dime

Zakari Tillman or Derion Gullette
Tyler Lockhart or Montrell Chapman

Mississippi State Safety Isaac Smith (#2) during Gameday V. Arizona State University at Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Sam

Isaac Smith
Tyler Woodward or Tony Mitchell

Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Kelley Jones (1) reacts during the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Cornerback

Kelly Jones or Jayven Williams
Elijah Cannon or Kyle Johnson

Mississippi State Cornerback DeAgo Brumfield (#4) during the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Cornerback

Jett Jefferson or DeAgo Brumfield
Dwight Lewis

Mississippi State Defensive Lineman Will Whitson (#43) and Mississippi State Safety Brylan Lanier (#3) during the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Safety

Brylan Lanier or Jahron Manning
Tanner Johnson

Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Hunter Washington (21) reacts after a interception during the fourth quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Safety

Hunter Washington or Jahron Manning
Cyrus Reyes or Stonka Burnside

Specialists

Punter

Ethan Pulliam or Nathan Tiyce

Kicker

Kyle Ferrie
Marlon Hauck

Mississippi State Long Snapper Ethan Myers (#45) during the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

Long Snapper

Ethan Myers
Kallen Cosper

Punt Returner

Brenen Thompson or Anthony Evans III

Kick Returner

Davon Booth
Brenen Thompson or Anthony Evans III