UNC has announced junior linebacker Joe Jackson's career has ended due to a neck injury suffered against South Carolina.
Here is the full statement from the school.
North Carolina linebacker Joe Jackson will be unable to continue his playing career due to a neck injury. The junior from Jacksonville, Fla., was injured in the season-opener against South Carolina.
“After talking with my family and the UNC doctors, I have decided it is in my best interest to stop playing football,” says Jackson. “It was a difficult decision and I appreciate the support of my teammates and coaches.”
Jackson was listed as the starting weakside linebacker entering the season and made four tackles against the Gamecocks. In 2014, he played in eight games as a reserve and had seven tackles.
Jackson won the starting job at linebacker just prior to the season but was injured against South Carolina. In the three games since Jackson went out, Cayson Collins started at linebacker versus NC A&T. Against Illinois and Delaware UNC started in a nickel formation with Brian Walker starting at nickelback. Collins did not play against Illinois and recorded two tackles versus Delaware.
Because Larry Fedora keeps a lid on injury information, Jackson's status was not known. Now that UNC is required to issue an injury report for ACC games, UNC is announcing the status of Jackson as well as others including safety Cameron Albright and WR Taylor Vippolis who are out for the season.
Here is the rest of the injury report for UNC game versus Georgia Tech.
Out for the Season
Cameron Albright, safety
Joe Jackson, linebacker
Taylor Vippolis, wide receiver
Doubtful
Tommy Hatton, center
Questionable
Allen Artis, safety
Corey Bell Jr., cornerback
Bentley Spain, offensive tackle
