Vanderbilt tight end DeAndre Woods out with torn ACL

Vanderbilt tight end DeAndre Woods suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Saturday’s 47-7 win over Austin Peay.

And coach Derek Mason said starting inside linebacker Nigel Bowden is “doubtful” for Saturday’s game (6 p.m./ESPNU) at No. 3 Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0 SEC). Bowden, the team’s top tackler last season, also missed the Austin Peay game with a concussion and remains sidelined.

“(Bowden’s) been out. As soon as he comes through the other side of protocol, we will get him back,” Mason said during Tuesday's weekly media conference.

Bowden, a Freshman All-SEC selection last season, has four tackles in two games this season. Sophomore Zach Cunningham will get his second straight start at inside linebacker in Bowden’s absence.

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Woods had seven receptions for 129 yards and a team-high 18.4 yards-per-catch average in his first major playing time with the Commodores. He was sidelined by injury in 2013 and played in a limited role in only four games as a reserve wide receiver last season.

“DeAndre Woods is done for the season. He tore his ACL, and we lose a really good tight end who was starting to come into his own,” Mason said. “But it comes back to adapt and adjust. … The season presses on, so it’s next man up.”

Starting tight end Steven Scheu, an All-SEC selection, will return to the field against Ole Miss, according to Mason. Scheu was cleared of concussion protocol before the Austin Peay game, but he did not play.

Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.

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NEXT GAME

VANDERBILT (1-2, 0-1) at NO. 3 OLE MISS (3-0, 1-0)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

TV/radio: ESPNU/1510-AM, 95.9 FM