Derek Mason announces a season-ending injury and a suspension ahead of Mississippi State
By Keith Farner
Published:
Vanderbilt has experienced problems this year with a lack of numbers, whether it be from COVID-19 related issues or opt outs before the season. Now the Commodores have lost two more players as they prepare for Mississippi State this week.
Coach Derek Mason announced at his Tuesday press conference that DB Donovan Kaufman is out for the season with a “medical related issue.” Mason also said RB Ja’Veon Marlow was suspended for a violation of team rules, and he won’t be back for a while. Marlow had a career-high 17 carries for a personal-best 83 yards against LSU.
“Donovan Kaufman will be back next season, it’s just for the remainder of the 2020 season,” Mason said. “Donovan will be out, but by the same token, we understand what we need to do moving forward, and he’s been great, his folks have been great. We’ve just got to make sure at the end of the day we continue to take care of our student athletes.”
Mason explained how his role would be filled.
“It’s always gotta be about the next man up, and the next man up right now is Brendon Harris,” Mason said. “Brendon Harris has been in the program. He understands what it is. I think Donovan is a different type of player. As most of you got to see in only a small game sample, he’s different in terms of what he brings to the table — defensively, special teams. He’s a dude that’s an impact player, and Brendon’s gonna have to step up and fill that role.”
Mason also added that lineman Drew Birchmeier, who was left off the depth chart, might be available this week against Mississippi State.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
