Tennessee may Lose Senior OG Marcus Jackson for the Season due to Injury

Written by Ryan Wright

The anchor on the Tennessee Volunteers’ offensive line suffered a major setback as announced on Tuesday with the expected loss of offensive guard Marcus Jackson for the season.

One of the strengths of Tennessee’s 2015 football team is the offensive line featuring four of five starters back. Of the four, Jackson has the most experience with 17 career starts picking up 12 last season.

The strength of Tennessee’s offense in 2015 was a weakness in 2014 leading the SEC in sacks allowed with 43. The combination of seniors Mack Crowder (center), Kyler Kerbyson (left tackle), and Jackson were expected to make a big leap forward after taking their lumps last season. The other returning starter is sophomore right guard Jashon Robertson. Sophomore Coleman Thomas is expected to win the right tackle job after starting five games a year ago.

Volunteers head coach Butch Jones addressed Jackson’s injury but did not give specifics on the nature of his impairment only stating, “It could be the season, it could be eight months, it could be nine months.” What has been reported is an arm injury.

If Jackson sought and was granted a NCAA waiver for a sixth season he could return in 2016.

Jackson came to Knoxville as an ESPN 4-star rated recruit as part of the 2011 recruiting class out of Vero Beach High School in Vero Beach, Fla. The 6’2”, 308 pound, lineman earned Freshman All-American honors in 2011 after playing in 12 Tennessee games with five starts. As a sophomore he played in 12 games but did not earn a start. In 2013 Jackson took a redshirt year.

Adding another small setback to the Vols offensive line, Robertson missed his second consecutive practice on Tuesday due to a sprained ankle. Robertson is expected back in practice before the end of the week.

Tennessee opens their season on Sept. 5 against Bowling Green in Nashville.

Photo credit: knoxnews.com; No. 75 Marcus Jackson.