EAST LANSING — Michigan State football ’s injury situation is a little deeper than anticipated.

The Spartans will be without starting senior safety Nikai Martinez as expected for their opener against Western Michigan on Friday, Aug. 29 (7 p.m., FS1). And their special teams will be tested greatly with the absences of kickers Tarik Ahmetbasic and Martin Connington, both of whom were ruled out in the availability report.

That means MSU will use No. 3 kicker Blake Sislo and backup long snapper Jack Wills, a true freshman. Sislo was on the roster for three seasons at Division II Davenport but never got in a game and did not play football last year. THE PICKS: Michigan State football vs Western Michigan: Who wins in Week 1 and why

The Spartans also will be missing some key depth players

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