North Carolina LB Joe Jackson suffers career-ending neck injury

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. _ Joe Jackson, a junior linebacker at North Carolina, has suffered a neck injury that will end his playing career, the school announced on Thursday.tmpplchld He sustained the injury during the Tar Heels’ season-opening 17-13 loss against South Carolina. Jackson had been listed as a starting outside linebacker entering that game. He had been a reserve player during his first two seasons.tmpplchld “After talking with my family and the UNC doctors, I have decided it is in my best interest to stop playing football,” Jackson, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., said in a statement. “It was a difficult decision and I appreciate the support of my teammates and coaches.”tmpplchld Before his injury he made four tackles against South Carolina. He played in eight games during the 2014 season and finished with seven tackles.tmpplchld UNC also announced on Thursday that Cameron Albright, a reserve freshman safety, will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. He underwent surgery earlier this month on his right knee.tmpplchld ___tmpplchld (c)2015 The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)tmpplchld Visit The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) at www.newsobserver.comtmpplchld Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.tmpplchld