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As the Tennessee Volunteers prepare themselves to deal with the added pressure of being a preseason top 25 program, their biggest issues remained along the offensive line. The position group that was already considered the weak link on the roster just got even weaker with the news that starting guard Marcus Jackson could miss the entire 2015 season with a biceps injury.
While the team and head coach Butch Jones were short on details about the injury, they confirmed that it would require surgery and the timetable for his return is up in the air. According to Jones, the rehab could be the entire season or just towards the end with Jackson making a return at the “tail of of the season to a bowl game.” By that point, however, it may be too late for Jackson to make an impact.
Last season, the Volunteer offensive line was one of the worst pass-blocking units in the nation. They need as much continuity as possible to try and build something positive in 2015 and Jackson was their most experienced offensive lineman in 2015. In three seasons, Jackson has started 17 games, including 12 of the team’s 13 games in 2014. The 6-foot-2, 308-pound senior figured to be a central figure in any positive growth for the Vols’ o-line this fall.
His injury forces Tennessee to shift around an offensive line that doesn’t have a great deal of depth to begin with. Jones even mentioned freshmen Jack Jones and Coleman Thomas getting increased looks in fall camp, though he admits both are still a “work in progress.”
Getting the offensive line situated had to be a major offseason priority for Tennessee as they look to take the next step under Butch Jones. Losing a key player like Marcus Jackson puts a serious strain on what was already a weak link heading into this season. Can the Vols regroup?
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