Josh Jackson update adds injury to insult for Virginia Tech

After a stunning loss to Old Dominion, Virginia Tech will now be without starting quarterback Josh Jackson.

Virginia Tech entered Saturday’s game against Old Dominion as a 29-point favorite, but they left Norfolk with a 49-35 road loss. But a significant injury has now been added to that insult, as starting quarterback Josh Jackson suffered a broken left fibula early in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game and is out indefinitely as he heads for surgery on Tuesday.

Hokies head coach Justin Fuente was careful not to preemptively declare Jackson out for the season. But based purely on the words the coach used, optimism doesn’t seem high regarding a return to action this year for Jackson.

“The timetable, I’m a little uncertain on,” Fuente said regarding Jackson’s possible return. “Obviously, it’s going to be a while. So, as we get through it, if it becomes an issue, we can talk about it then. So, it’s going to certainly be a little while before he’s able to get back out there and play.”

Fuente also announced  Ryan Willis will start next Saturday’s game against Duke. The junior signal caller finished last week’s loss to Old Dominion after Jackson was injured, going 9-for-18 for 131 yards with a touchdown pass while adding 30 rushing yards, and so far this season he’s 13-for-25 for 195 yards in two games of action.

It won’t be a soft landing for Willis next week, as the Blue Devils are 4-0 so far (with wins over Army, Northwestern and Baylor), are ranked No. 22 in the country and are tied for 16th in the country in scoring defense (15.3 points per game). After that on the schedule is a home game against Notre Dame.

Behind Willis, the Hokies have redshirt freshman Hendon Hooker and true freshman Quincy Patterson (an ESPN 300 recruit in the 2018 class) available. If Willis is not up to the task of replacing Jackson, Fuente could have a quick hook and try to spark something by going with one of the younger guys.