Rickea Jackson has been out of No. 20 Tennessee’s lineup since Nov. 13, when she was listed as day-to-day with a lower leg injury.
Jackson has been seen at games with a boot on her foot, and Volunteers head coach Kellie Harper did not offer an update on Jackson’s condition prior to her squad’s loss to Notre Dame on Nov. 29.
“We’re still in the same situation where each and every day is the day we’re going to be evaluating her,” Harper told the Knoxville News-Sentinel. “Each day is different. So, literally, I’ll walk in today and find out what she’s doing today. I know (the boot) was definitely off some.”
The story remained the same at practice on Dec. 1. The continued absence of the fifth-year-guard is a blow to Tennessee, as she is a key piece to the lineup and a projected first-round pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. Last season, she averaged 19.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, but she has played just two games this season.
Just Women’s Sports is tracking injuries to key players throughout the NCAA season and, when possible, outlining the timetables for their returns.
Azzi Fudd, UConn
Fudd is out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL and a torn meniscus in her right knee. She played just two games before injuring her knee in practice. Fudd is the second Huskies player in two years to miss the majority of the season with an ACL tear, following Paige Bueckers’ lost season in 2022-23.
Sa’Myah Smith, LSU
Smith will miss the rest of the season for No. 7 LSU with tears to the ACL, MCL and meniscus in her right knee. Smith’s injury occurred early in the Tigers’ Nov. match with Niagara on Nov. 24. Smith, who appeared in just seven games this season, will be given a redshirt for the remainder of this season and will be able to get this year of eligibility back, per LSU Athletics.
Hannah Stuelke, Iowa
Stuelke arrived at No. 5 Iowa’s game against Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 25 with her right ankle wrapped after she appeared to slip during the Hawkeyes’ game against Purdue Fort Wayne on Nov. 24. Stuelke has been listed as day-to-day since the injury, and while it is unlikely that she’ll play Saturday against Bowling Green, Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder alluded to a possible return to the lineup for the sophomore forward.
“I don’t think she’ll be back for this weekend. Hopefully for the Iowa State, but that has yet to be determined,” Bluder told Hawkeye Report. “She is doubtful for this week. … I’m not going to go into the exact injury. It’s just not my place to talk about the personal injuries of our players.”
Caroline Ducharme, UConn
The junior guard played in No. 11 UConn’s first four games this season but she has been out since Nov. 19 with neck and back spasms. Ducharme has dealt with concussion issues in past seasons. On Dec. 1, head coach Geno Auriemma could not provide a timeline for her return to the team.
Avery Strickland, Tennessee
Strickland has been sidelined since Nov. 13 as she goes through concussion protocol. Strickland has missed four games so far, the most recent being the Vols’ matchup with Notre Dame on Nov. 29. There is still no timetable for her return.
Sonia Citron, Notre Dame
Citron sustained an injury to her leg in the third quarter of the Irish’s game against Northwestern on Nov. 15. The junior guard needed help to return to the locker room after she was injured.
Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey had announced that Citron was dealing with a sprained knee and would be out for just a couple of weeks. But on Nov. 28, Ivey said Citron would need a few more weeks of recovery before she could return to the court.
Jasmine Powell, Tennessee
Powell also did not play in the Vols’ game against Troy. She was seen with a brace on her right arm, as reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel. Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper did not provide a timeline for the senior point guard’s return.