CJ Jackson, a Vanderbilt football transfer, will miss time in the 2026 season due to an injury that required surgery. Coach Clark Lea indicated the injury's impact on Jackson's availability for the season remains unclear.
Key points
CJ Jackson will miss time in the 2026 season due to injury
He underwent surgery for the injury a few weeks ago
Coach Clark Lea did not specify the extent of Jackson's absence
Jackson was a developmental project with limited prior experience
CJ JacksonVanderbilt
CJ Jackson injury update, Vanderbilt football transfer to miss time in 2026
Vanderbilt football has one transfer who will miss time in the 2026 season due to injury.
CJ Jackson, an edge, had surgery for an injury suffered a few weeks ago, Clark Lea said. That's an injury that will stretch into the season, though Lea did not specify whether he will miss the entire season.
Jackson was a developmental project when the Commodores took him, having appeared in six career games with the Tigers.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles under the pressure from Vanderbilt edge Brian Allen Jr. (10) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Q&A
What injury did CJ Jackson suffer that will affect his 2026 season?
CJ Jackson underwent surgery for an unspecified injury that will impact his participation in the 2026 season.
How long is CJ Jackson expected to be out due to his injury?
The exact duration of CJ Jackson's absence is unclear, as Coach Clark Lea did not specify if he will miss the entire season.
What was CJ Jackson's role before transferring to Vanderbilt?
Before transferring to Vanderbilt, CJ Jackson was an edge player who appeared in six career games with the Tigers.
Who is CJ Jackson's coach at Vanderbilt and what did he say about the injury?
CJ Jackson's coach at Vanderbilt is Clark Lea, who confirmed that Jackson's injury will affect his time on the field in the 2026 season.
Related Articles
Sports
Larry Bird, Steve Kerr, others pay tribute to Hall of Famer Oscar Schmidt after Brazilian icon dies at 68
Oscar Schmidt, the Brazilian basketball icon, has died at 68, leaving a legacy of greatness.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Preview
Game #21: White Sox at Athletics Game Thread
Athletics look to bounce back against White Sox in Game #21
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA
Nate Ament ranked top 10 NBA draft best available player
Nate Ament is the No. 8 best available player for the 2026 NBA draft.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Preview
WWE WrestleMania 42 live results: Match card, what to know for night 1
WWE WrestleMania 42 kicks off April 18 with exciting matches!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
NI beat Malta to end near two-year wait for away win
Northern Ireland secures a 4-2 victory over Malta, ending a two-year away win drought.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Preview
Where to watch WWE WrestleMania 42: Live stream, card and matches for Night 1 on Saturday, Night 2 on Sunday
Catch WWE WrestleMania 42 live! Match card and streaming info inside.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) drops back during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) directs his receivers while pressured by Vanderbilt linebacker Nick Rinaldi (24) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
1 / 6
Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
1 / 6
Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
2 / 6
Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles under the pressure from Vanderbilt edge Brian Allen Jr. (10) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
3 / 6
Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
4 / 6
Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) drops back during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
5 / 6
Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) directs his receivers while pressured by Vanderbilt linebacker Nick Rinaldi (24) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
6 / 6
Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Jackson is currently the only long-term injury for Vanderbilt. Several notable players sat out the spring game, including Junior Sherrill, Sedrick Alexander and Cole Spence, but that was what Lea termed as "exposure management," avoiding serious injury in the spring, rather than a current significant issue. Some other players are banged up or recovering from offseason surgery but expected to return before the start of the season.
One of those players is Yilanan Ouattara. The defensive lineman missed all but one game in 2025 due to a shoulder injury for which he had surgery. He has been able to work into some practice during the spring but did not play in the spring game.
