Edwin Kolenge, the Vanderbilt football starting edge rusher, is out for the season after undergoing surgery to address a pectoral tendon injury, Clark Lea said Nov. 12.
The injury happened during a 25-23 win over Mississippi State. He was listed as “out” on the team’s injury report released Nov. 11.
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Vanderbilt (4-5, 1-5 SEC) will take on No. 7 Alabama (7-2, 5-2) on Nov. 14 (11:45 a.m. CT, SEC Network) at FirstBank Stadium.
Kolenge started seven of Vanderbilt’s nine games so far this season. He’s recorded 20 total tackles with three tackles for loss and three sacks after transferring from Boston College.
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Sep 5, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles against the Austin Peay Governors during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Sep 5, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles against the Austin Peay Governors during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) is brought down by Austin Peay defensive back Markell Redding (3) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) runs against Austin Peay defensive back Markell Redding (3) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) runs into Austin Peay defensive back Justin Wimpye (5) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) runs through Austin Peay defensive back Justin Wimpye (5) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws a completion while being taken down by Austin Peay linebacker Jefferson Bretanys-Desca (14) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles against Austin Peay during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterbacks Blaze Berlowitz (1) and Jared Curtis (2) go through drills during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) directs his receivers while pressured by Vanderbilt linebacker Nick Rinaldi (24) during Vanderbilt Football’s Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt University freshman quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws in practice at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN, DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2), left, and offensive coordinator Tim Beck and the other quarterbacks gather after Vanderbilt Football’s Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws while pressured by Vanderbilt defensive tackle Mike Diatta (15) during Vanderbilt Football’s Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football’s Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during Vanderbilt Football’s Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during Vanderbilt Football’s Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) pitches to running back Gabe Fields (24) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation’s top 2026 recruits
Freshman quarterback Jared Curtis watches football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
“I appreciate Edwin,” Lea said. “Here’s an example of a guy who comes here for one year, is a total embodiment of our program. It’s tough. He cares about his teammates, plays really hard, and he’s had a positive impact here, and we want Vanderbilt to be his football home. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to finish the season with us, but I know he’ll be here with us when he can and obviously we’ll look forward to having him around as much as possible.”
Lea said the team had originally hoped that Kolenge’s injury wasn’t serious. In his Nov. 9 press conference, Lea said that he thought Kolenge wouldn’t miss time. However, the news changed once Kolenge’s MRI results came back.
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Brian Allen Jr., a transfer from Iowa, is expected to see increased time as a result of the injury. Allen was limited through most of the season due to a high ankle sprain, but is closer to being healthy now. He has recorded three tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack this season.
