Potential Memphis football starter Kourtlan Marsh likely out for season with significant injury

Memphis football safety Kourtlan Marsh is "probably done for the regular season," coach Ryan Silverfield said Monday.

Marsh had been a potential starter after transferring from Samford this offseason. He played three seasons at Samford but could redshirt and have another year of eligibility in 2025.

"He had a significant injury that will have him out for the rest of the foreseeable couple months," Silverfield said at his Monday press conference.

An'Darius Coffey and Louisiana-Monroe transfer AJ Watts were listed as starters at safety on the depth chart, while Greg Rubin was listed as the starter at the hybrid "TIGER" position. Marsh was expected to compete for the starting job at safety before suffering the injury.

Silverfield said Marsh has already expressed interest in coming back to play for the Tigers next season.

"He'll be on the shelf, but he did a tremendous job," Silverfield said. "He was one of those guys competing for a starting safety job, so unfortunate news for him. But he's already excited to come back. This is his first year here, but he's already saying, 'I'll be ready for next.'"

Marsh had a successful 2023 season for the Bulldogs, making 51 tackles, recovering three fumbles and grabbing one interception. He'd likely factor into the starting discussion in the Tigers' defensive backfield next season.

Memphis opens its 2024 season against North Alabama on Saturday (6 p.m., ESPN+) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Potential Memphis football starter Kourtlan Marsh likely out for season with significant injury