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Per head coach Derek Mason, Vanderbilt announced Thursday it’ll be without Andrew Jelks and Shawn Stankavage for the entire 2016 season.
BREAKING: Vandy offensive tackle Andrew Jelks (knee) & reserve QB Shawn Stankavage both out for season, per Coach Derek Mason.
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) August 11, 2016
In a fluky (and disappointing) turn of events, both athletes sat out all of last year with similar injuries. Stankavage — Vanderbilt’s third-string signal-caller — sat out 2015 with a leg injury. A knee injury will rob him of this upcoming year.
There are no words to describe how I am feeling. I am beyond sorry I won't be able to play with my brothers this year.This hurts #AnchorDown
— Andrew Jelks (@AJelks_50) August 12, 2016
It’s a similar story for Jelks. Projected to be Vanderbilt’s best offensive lineman, the fifth-year senior also will be sidelined due to a knee problem. The loss of Jelks is massive on a number of levels. The preseason all-conference pick played at left tackle in the past, and was slated to perhaps play inside at guard position this year.
As such, it’ll be an unfortunate ‘next man up’ scenario for Mason’s squad.
