Mark Stoops had some bad news to share Saturday: Kentucky has already lost one of its key defenders for the 2021 season.

D’Eryk Jackson is likely out for the year. Jackson was expected to be a starter this fall, replacing Jamin Davis at Mike linebacker. Stoops told reporters that Jackson suffered a non-contact, lower-body injury that happened in pre-scrimmage warmups.

“I’m really disappointed for D’Eryk because he was having a good spring,” Stoops said, per Chris Leach of The Cats Pause.

As a freshman, Jackson played in nine games last season, totaling four tackles and an interception. With Jackson out, Kentucky may turn to true freshman Trevin Wallace. 247Sports rated Wallace the No. 35 overall recruit in the class of 2021.