Vanderbilt OL Andrew Jelks to miss second straight season
Andrew Jelks will miss his second straight season.
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason told reporters Thursday that Jelks, a veteran offensive lineman, has a knee injury that will keep him out for the entire season. Mason did not offer specifics on the nature of the injury. Jelks previously missed the whole 2015 season after tearing his ACL in preseason camp.
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Jelks’ Vandy career has been derailed by injuries after a promising start. He redshirted in 2012, but emerged as one of the team’s top linemen in 2013, starting nine games at right tackle and earning freshman All-America honors. Jelks moved to the left side in 2014, starting all 12 games. He has not seen game action since.
Jelks would be eligible to request a waiver from the NCAA to return in 2017 for his sixth year if he chooses. Per The Tennessean, Mason said the program hasn’t gone down that road just yet.
“We stay in the moment,” he said. “We are not even approaching that.”
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Mason also announced that reserve quarterback Shawn Stankavage will miss the season with a leg injury. Like Jelks, Stankavage also missed the 2015 campaign with an injury. He was the team’s No. 3 quarterback when camp began.
Vanderbilt opens up the 2016 season at home against South Carolina on Sept. 1.
For more Vanderbilt news, visit VandySports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
