While Vanderbilt put up a respectable performance in Saturday's 23-9 loss at No. 11 LSU, the aftermath left the Commodores dealing with a host of injuries that drastically affects their line-up going forward.

None was more notable than the news reported by The Tennessean that redshirt senior safety and team co-captain Ryan Hamilton would miss the remainder of the year with a torn pectoral muscle. Hats off to Hamilton for his toughness though; according to Bobby Johnson, he played most of the first half with a torn humerus muscle.

In any event, Hamilton won't play again this year. If he wants to play his senior season in 2010, I imagine Vanderbilt will apply for a medical redshirt for him. It's a big loss. He was the team's most veteran player with 34 straight starts.

Fellow redshirt senior Joel Caldwell could be the replacement; he had a nice interception wiped out by a penalty in the second half Saturday against the Tigers. He has 37 career appearances and has made 11 starts at cornerback.

Right offensive tackle James Williams broke his ankle Saturday and will also miss the remainder of the year.

On the professional level, former Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler struggled mightily in his Chicago Bears debut, tossing a career-worst four interceptions against one touchdown in a 21-15 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Earl Bennett got his first career receptions, making seven catches for 66 yards, and was targeted 14 times by his old college teammate. With the loss of linebacker Brian Urlacher to a wrist injury for the season, former Vandy linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer will likely crack the starting line-up, putting him with Cutler, Bennett and offensive lineman Chris Williams as former Commodores starting in Chicago.