Ole Miss coach Matt Luke confirmed the severity of the injury to LB MoMo Sanogo on Monday.

He said Sanogo will have surgery on Tuesday and be out roughly 10 weeks. The coach added that it offers an opportunity to other players on the team.

“It reiterates what we’re always talking about, being ready to play,” Luke said. “Jacquez (Jones) wasn’t getting that many snaps, but he kept preparing. It can happen at any position, and you’re one play away from having to step in there. He stepped in, was prepared, and was our leading tackler. That’s a good lesson to every position on the football team.”

Defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre said Sanogo is an excellent leader.

“The quarterback for the defense–truly what he was able to do,” he said, and added that Jacquez Jones is a capable replacement. “Jacquez Jones was ready to go and came out there and played well. We definitely think he is good enough to be an excellent inside backer for us.”

Sanogo suffered a broken right fibula and torn ligament against Arkansas, the same injury suffered in 2014 by former Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell.

Sanogo, one of the best defenders in the SEC, started at linebacker in every game last season, and was one of just 3 players to start every game on defense for the Rebels. He was third in the SEC with 9.3 tackles per game fifth in the SEC in total tackles with 112.

He had 4 tackles against Memphis, but didn’t register one in the Arkansas game as he as injured in the first quarter.