UCF’s first injury report for Baylor brought a mixed bag Tuesday: some encouraging movement up front, another blow in the secondary, and a few situations that still won’t be settled until closer to kickoff.
The biggest certainty for the Knights is at quarterback. On Monday, Frost said Keyone Jenkins would start against Baylor after trainers cleared him from concussion protocol, and Jenkins’ absence from Tuesday’s availability report backs that up.
Alonza Barnett III, though, is back in the mix as questionable. Frost said he thought Barnett “probably could play,” but also said he did not know if he was 100%.
If he’s available, Barnett could be the emergency option behind Jenkins if needed.
UCF’s defense, meanwhile, took another hit with starting safety Demari Henderson ruled out for Friday’s Space Game at 7:30 p.m. It’s the first game Henderson will miss since he sat out most of the 2024 season. He joins cornerback DJ Bell on the out list, with Bell ruled out for a second straight week.
Henderson left Saturday’s overtime win over BYU and was replaced by Harvard transfer Ty Bartrum. He finished that game with two tackles and a pass breakup.
Bartrum or Missouri transfer Caleb Flagg are the likeliest candidates to step in again. Bell, listed as a co-starter with Jayden Bellamy and Antione Jackson, leaves Jailen Duffie and Rukeem Stroud as the next options at corner if either starter needs a break.
There’s better news along UCF’s offensive line, where the Knights may be close to getting reinforcements back. Center Jacob Maiava was listed as probable after being a game-time decision last week against BYU, and fellow lineman Preston Cushman was also tagged probable.
Right guard Owen Spell, though, did not appear on the report at all, leaving his status murky. Frost said on Sept. 19 that Spell had “a bit of plantar fasciitis,” and the lack of a designation could mean either that he’s available Friday or that he’s been shut down for the season.
One offensive lineman has already been ruled out: Tyler Gibson, who is set to miss his third straight game.
Elsewhere on offense, Duane Thomas Jr. is listed as probable after making his 2026 debut against BYU. The senior caught three passes for 16 yards and ran twice for seven yards in that game.
Wide receivers coach Sean Beckton told 96.9 The Game on Oct. 21 that if coaches thought Thomas could handle more, they would use him more. UCF also has Josh Derry, Tyren Hornes and Waden Charles drawing targets, so there’s no rush to force Thomas back into a bigger role.
Caleb Rollerson has a chance to return after missing two games, with Tuesday’s report listing him as questionable. But Lewis Carter remains out, and that will make it five straight games missed.
Frost said Monday the Knights were working to get him back as quickly as possible, but they do have added help at linebacker now from Cole Kozlowski. Kozlowski had four tackles and a quarterback hurry against BYU in his second game of the season after an Orange County court granted him eligibility through a temporary injunction.
He joins Jahleel Culbreath, Tackett Curtis and Jayden Jennings in the linebacker mix, and Jennings is probable for Friday as well.
At running back, Taevion Swint remains unavailable after Frost explained Monday that he “got hurt on a nothing play” in practice before the BYU game. Frost said Swint started “slowing down, didn't turn his ankle or anything, and just started limping.”
The injury turned out to be “an old injury,” and Frost said he would be back quicker than expected, but not quick enough for this week. That opens the door again for Landen Chambers, who picked up more work against BYU.
UCF also has three EDGE players listed as probable: Sincere Edwards, Ken Talley and Bruno Dall.
Baylor’s report wasn’t short on absences either. The Bears ruled out five players in their initial update, including defensive tackle Devonte Tezino, who began the season as a starter but has been out since week three.
The other four ruled-out Bears - safety Jacob Redding, cornerback Jamarion Richardson, offensive lineman Cayden Tone and wide receiver Ashton Jones - have not been major contributors this season. Redding did start nine games last year but has not played in 2026.
The Bears do have two questionable players to monitor: running back Dawson Pendergrass and cornerback Devon Jordan. Jordan has been a full-time starter this season, piling up 30 tackles, 22 of them solo, along with six passes defended and three interceptions, which account for 37.5% of Baylor’s total on the year. If he can’t go, fifth-year Reggie Bush II, who has also picked off a pass this season, and senior Stilton McKelvey are the next cornerbacks up.
Pendergrass opened the year as Baylor’s lead back for the first five games before his carries dropped sharply beginning with the Arizona State game. Sophomore Michael Turner has taken advantage, with 19 of his 37 carries coming over the last three weeks. Baylor has also mixed in sophomore Caden Knighton and freshman Ryelan Morris, so even if Pendergrass is limited, the Bears still have options in the backfield.
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