Kentucky Gets A Needed Boost Despite One Late Availability Concern

Kentucky faces some lineup adjustments as several key players are ruled out, but there are promising returns on the horizon.

SEC fans are getting a little more transparency this season, and Kentucky’s latest availability report brought a few small but important updates ahead of Saturday’s game.

The league’s new 2024 policy requires schools to file official availability reports for SEC games, with updates each Wednesday, nightly refreshes, and a final call an hour before kickoff on Saturdays. Players are designated as out, doubtful, questionable, or probable based on their chances to play.

For Kentucky, Friday’s report only shifted a couple of names. Defensive tackle Kalen Edwards went from doubtful to out, so the backup will not be available Saturday. On the other side of the ledger, reserve running back Jordan Colbert dropped off the report entirely after being listed as questionable on Thursday.

Kentucky’s report listed the following players as out: LB Alex Afari Jr., CB Grant Grayton, OL Aba Selm, LB Antwan Smith, DB Jaden Smith, LB Tavion Wallace, and DT Kalen Edwards.

There was also some encouraging news for the Wildcats. Starting wide receiver DJ Miller missed his first game of the season against South Carolina, as did starting nickel Aaron Gates.

Running back Jason Patterson was pulled in the third quarter. Gates and Patterson were not on the first injury report Wednesday, while Miller had originally been listed as probable before being removed from Thursday’s update.

Antwan Smith and Jaden Smith are both expected to be unavailable, while Tavion Wallace is set to miss his second straight game. Alex Afari Jr. will remain out after the NCAA won an appeal in court.

Kentucky will still be shorthanded, but the Wildcats are also on track to get at least three top players back on the field this week.

No. 10 LSU

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Kentucky Is Getting Doubted Again Before A Massive SEC Test

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