Alabama’s win over Texas A&M came at a steep cost to both its defense and special teams.
Early in the fourth quarter of the 33-14 win, Eddie Jackson sustained an injury to his left leg and did not return. Following the game, head coach Nick Saban confirmed that Jackson had suffered a broken leg.
As a result, both the senior’s season and his career have come to an abrupt end.
“Eddie was a fantastic player for us and a great leader,” the coach said in quotes distributed by the school. “I think he was an All-American player as a safety, at least in my book. We’re certainly going to miss him, but what a great player, what a great competitor, and what a great guy to have in this program for the time he’s been here.
“He’s done a fantastic job for us and I’m just sick for him and his family. I hate it that it’s one of the things about sports, all sports, and that we have to deal with sometimes as injuries. It’s unfortunate, especially when it happens to a great guy and a very, very good player. We’re certainly going to miss him.”
The loss of Jackson, who some consider the heart and soul of a very talented Tide defense, is a huge one.
Jackson had started the last 23 games at safety after starting 14 games at cornerback his first two seasons with the Tide. The past two seasons, Jackson has returned three interceptions for touchdowns. He’s also one of the best punt returners in the nation, having returned two for touchdowns this season.
Entering the 2016 season, Jackson was widely viewed as a likely first- or second-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft.