Jaylon Jones’ season started with a 94-yard kick return touchdown. It ended two quarters later with a major knee injury.
Matt Luke announced Monday that his starting cornerback tore his ACL in the season-opener against Texas Tech. Jones, a 2016 Freshman All-American who played in every game over the past two years, was expected to be one of the leaders of an Ole Miss defense desperately trying to improve this season. Ole Miss ranked 82nd in pass defense efficiency (success rate) and 83rd in pass defense explosiveness (isoPPP) in 2017.
The biggest effect of Jones’ injury, though, may end up coming in run defense.