Jackson has quad tendon tear

Mark Crammer
AP

Starting defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson is out until midseason at the earliest after being hurt on Saturday.

CLEMSON — There wasn't much alarm after defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson crumpled to the turf during Saturday's scrimmage.

Knee sprain, team doctors told Jackson and his coaches.

An MRI revealed it to be much more serious than that: a torn quad tendon is expected to keep Jackson out until midseason at the earliest.

Jackson's loss hits the Tigers in an area where they're deep, but his absence isn't being casually brushed aside.

"You're talking about a guy that's NFL material," said line coach Chris Rumph. "You've got to fill in with some guys that are playing some roles."

Jackson, who started 10 games last season while totaling 37 tackles and seven for loss, is a fifth-year senior who has played in 37 career games. He suffered the injury in a non-contact situation and is expected to undergo surgery today.

"He's always bounced back from these injuries," said head coach Tommy Bowden. "He's been nicked up several times, and his history has been to bounce back. ... I really felt he'd be all right. They said it was a very unusual injury where the muscle pulls away from the bone. It wasn't a joint or one of those things."

The next man up is junior Jamie Cumbie, who was already pushing Jackson hard for the starting spot at tackle. In fact, Cumbie said he was already playing with the first team before Jackson's injury.

The 6-7, 275-pound Cumbie moved inside from end late last season.

"I feel like I'm in the best shape I've ever been in," he said. "I'm as strong as I've ever been. It was unfortunate what happened to Rashaad, but it's an opportunity for me."

Cumbie's height has contributed to some deficiencies against run blocking, and defensive coordinator Vic Koenning said sophomore Jarvis Jenkins is a legitimate challenger to Cumbie for the starting role.

In fact, Koenning said, he was considering putting Jenkins at first team before Jackson's injury. Jenkins has lost 20 pounds since last season and says he's a much different player because of it.

Said Rumph: "It's a toss-up right now. Both of those guys have probably had the best camp out of all those guys."

Cumbie's strength is pass rushing, and the 6-4, 300-pound Jenkins is a "big bull" who can stuff the run.

"We're going to have to make sure both those guys are balanced so we won't be limited in our play-calling," Rumph said.

Rumph said Jackson's absence probably won't mean playing time this season for freshman Brandon Thompson, who's expected to redshirt. Rumph did mention the possibility of moving second-team nose guard Miguel Chavis to tackle if Cumbie and Jenkins are struggling.

"But we have confidence in those guys," he said. "They're on scholarships, too. ... It's time for them to step up. Just got to grow up a year early."

Senior Jock McKissic, a third-team tackle who dabbled at offensive line during the spring before switching back to defense, could find his role elevated.

This and that

Bowden said a film review of Saturday's scrimmage told him the Tigers still have "a lot of work to do" on the offensive line … Bowden said punters Jimmy Maners and Dawson Zimmerman are still about even … Running back Rendrick Taylor has yet to return to practice after going home to resolve some personal issues … Receiver Xavier Dye (shoulder) was back at Monday's two-a-day after missing a week … Defensive tackles Antwon Murchison (knee) and McKissic (concussion) missed both practices.