CJ Jackson injury update, Vanderbilt football transfer to miss time in 2026
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CJ Jackson injury update, Vanderbilt football transfer to miss time in 2026
Aria Gerson, Nashville Tennessean·The Tennessean
·
1 min read
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Vanderbilt footballhas one transfer who will miss time in the 2026 season due to injury.
CJ Jackson, an edge transfer fromLSU, had surgery for an injury suffered a few weeks ago, Clark Lea said. It's an injury that will stretch into the season, though Lea did not specify whether he will miss the entire season.
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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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
3/6
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
5/6
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
6/6
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Jackson is currently the only long-term injury for Vanderbilt. Several notable playerssat out the spring game, includingJunior 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.