Jackson-Garrison, a junior from Knoxville, Tenn., underwent an emergency appendectomy Monday afternoon at the hospital. Jackson-Garrison was diagnosed with appendicitis after complaining of abdominal pain early Monday.
Prior to the procedure, Jackson-Garrison was considered the Commodores’ probable starting tailback entering the season opener versus Michigan Sept. 2 at Ann Arbor.
"All of us at Vanderbilt are looking forward to Cassen’s full recovery. Cassen needs to be fully healthy, that's our only concern right now," Johnson said.
With Jackson-Garrison missing both practices Monday, the Commodores were left with redshirt freshman Jared Hawkins and two true freshmen – Gaston Miller and Kennard Reeves – at the tailback position. Junior Jeff Jennings, a tailback much of last year, is not at full strength, recovering from off-season surgery.
Monday Practices
Two days after staging their first full-contact scrimmage in Vanderbilt Stadium, the Commodores returned to work Monday, conducting morning and afternoon sessions at John Rich Practice Complex.
The squad spent two hours in partial gear during the morning session, concentrating on individual drills, field goal conversions, kickoff return and coverage techniques, and expanding the playbook.
After wearing shoulder pads and shorts during the morning practice, the Commodores practiced Monday evening in full gear, going two hours and 30 minutes. The squad sandwiched 1-on-1, 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills between 30 minutes of team teaching and special teams work.
Upcoming Practice Schedule
The Commodores will conduct single practices Tuesday and Thursday between two-a-day drills on Wednesday.