Willie Jones III ruled out for remainder of 2018 season, set for shoulder surgery

Texas State sophomore quarterback Willie Jones III will miss the final two games of the 2018 season after he injured his non-throwing shoulder against Appalachian State on Nov. 10. 

Head coach Everett Withers originally announced at his weekly Monday press conference that Jones would miss the Bobcats’ upcoming game against Troy on Saturday. But Withers announced Jones' season will end on Thursday after Jones had X-rays and an MRI done on the shoulder on Tuesday. 

Jones will have surgery on the injured shoulder next week. 
 
“There is hope that he will be back and able to participate in spring practice,” Withers said in a statement.
 
Jones finishes his sophomore campaign after making seven starts. The signal caller from Silsbee completed 74-of-132 pass attempts for 984 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018. Jones is Texas State’s leading rusher with 402 yards and three touchdowns on 95 carries. 
 
Jones’ best rushing game came against New Mexico State on Oct. 27, where he ran for 110 yards and one touchdown. He recorded his longest run of the year against South Alabama on Sept. 15 — A 50-yard touchdown run. 
 
In the air, Jones’ best game was against Georgia State. He threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers. He completed 21-of-26 passes in the 40-31 win over Georgia State. 
 
This is the second time Jones suffered a shoulder injury this season. His first shoulder injury came against UTSA on Sept. 22.  
 
Freshman quarterback Tyler Vitt, who’s started three games in 2018 and has thrown for 871 yards and seven touchdowns, is set to start against Troy on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. inside Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Ala.