Vanderbilt’s offense was dealt some bad news on Wednesday.

C.J. Duncan, a redshirt sophomore who led Commodores wide receivers with 441 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2014, is expected to miss the season with what is being classified as a lower-leg injury, according to a university press release.

The injury reportedly happened near the end of Tuesday’s afternoon practice session.

Duncan started nine games last season and was expected to compete for a starting role on this year’s team.

“I know C.J. is disappointed with the injury, and we share his disappointment,” Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason was quoted as saying in the release. “He’s one of our most versatile and proven offensive performers, but even more than that, C.J. is very much a team-oriented player. As he recuperates, C.J. will be an encouraging and helpful presence to the receiving corps.

“We have several talented receivers on the roster with the ability to contribute more significantly to our offense. We expect them to step up to this challenge.”

In light of this news, the Commodores are likely to lean on junior Latevius Rayford, who led Vandy wide receivers with 36 catches, to pick up the slack alongside senior TE Steven Scheu, who led the Commodores with 39 catches and 525 receiving yards in 2014.

Sophomores Trent Sherfield and Caleb Scott, along with freshman Ronald Monroe and senior Kris Kentera, are likely to battle for the snaps that Duncan would have received.

Duncan, a former high school quarterback from Montgomery, Ala., spent time as a quarterback and running back during his redshirt season at Vanderbilt before settling in at wide receiver last year.

New offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig took a look at Duncan as a running back during spring practice, and he was expected to line up there at time this fall to supplant RBs Ralph Webb and Dallas Rivers.