Jarron Jones out for season, set to undergo knee surgery

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame starting defensive lineman Jarron Jones will miss the upcoming season with a knee injury, coach Brian Kelly announced Saturday.

Kelly said that Jones has a third-degree MCL injury in his right knee and will undergo surgery next week.

Jones, a redshirt junior, was making his return from a Lisfranc injury in his foot suffered in a Nov. 22 loss to Louisville, which cost him the final two games of last season along with this spring season.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Jones figured to play a major role in the middle of the Fighting Irish's defensive line. He had started all 11 games last season until the foot injury, tallying 40 total tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, along with seven quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and two blocked kicks.

Freshman Jerry Tillery, who enrolled this spring, now could be thrust into a starting role.Daniel Cageis expected to be called on to fill in as well.

The 11th-ranked Fighting Irish open at home Sept. 5 against Texas.