Jackson out 4-6 weeks

ATHENS - Starting weakside linebacker Jarvis Jackson will have surgery on a torn left thumb ligament today and miss Saturday’s game, he said Monday. Jackson said he definitely would be back in time for the Sept. 24 Mississippi State game.

Junior Danny Verdun Wheeler will start in Jackson’s place, linebackers coach John Jancek said. Dannell Ellerbe, the top backup on the weakside, didn’t practice Monday because of an ankle injury. He is questionable for Saturday’s game.

In other injury news, backup safety Kelin Johnson practiced Monday with a large cast on his left wrist. Jarvis Jackson said he sprained the wrist badly during the South Carolina game and was in a sling on Sunday. Still, he plans to play against Louisiana-Monroe.