LSU junior wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. will not play Saturday against South Carolina, the third straight game he has missed due to an ankle injury.

Hilton is expected to play a big role in LSU’s receiving corps, and sources expect him to return soon. LSU plays UCLA next week in Baton Rouge, marking a spot for a possible return.

Hilton is a wide receiver with excellent speed, something LSU’s offense has lacked in the first two games.

The Tigers lost two wide receivers, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., to the first round of the NFL draft in April. Hilton was a key part of the plan to replace their production, as he was projected as one of the top targets for new starter Garrett Nussmeier.

Hilton caught 13 passes for 225 yards last season. He flashed his potential in LSU’s ReliaQuest Bowl win over Wisconsin, catching three passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.

LSU heads to Columbia 1-1 after a narrow loss to USC in Las Vegas in the season opener and a win over Nicholls last week.