CJ Jackson, an edge transfer from Louisiana State University (LSU) to Vanderbilt University, will be sidelined for part of the 2026 football season due to an injury that required surgery, as confirmed by head coach Clark Lea. While the specifics of Jackson's recovery timeline remain uncertain, he is currently the only long-term injury affecting the Vanderbilt Commodores. Jackson, who had previously played in six games with the Tigers, was viewed as a developmental project when he joined the team. In addition to Jackson, several notable players, including Junior Sherrill, Sedrick Alexander, and Cole Spence, did not participate in the spring game due to what Lea described as “exposure management” to prevent serious injuries. Other players are recovering from offseason surgeries but are expected to return before the season starts, including defensive lineman Yilanan Ouattara, who had a shoulder surgery that limited him to just one game in 2025.