Kentucky will head into Saturday night’s matchup with LSU already dealing with a thin defensive group, but there was at least one encouraging update in the latest injury report.
The biggest shift for the Wildcats came with Kalen Edwards, who moved from questionable to doubtful. That’s a tough blow for Kentucky’s defense, considering Edwards has been an impact piece in the middle of the unit and has logged 117 snaps this season. His Week 2 performance against Alabama stood out, too, when he earned a 91.9 Pro Football Focus grade.
There was better news elsewhere. Starting long snapper Cole Marszalek was removed from the report and appears on track to return this week.
On offense, DJ Miller is not listed at all, which points to a likely return to the field. That would give Kentucky a welcome lift, especially after Nic Anderson finally broke through in Columbia.
With Miller, Anderson, and Kenny Darby, the Wildcats could have a three-man passing threat that gives opposing defenses real problems.
The injury list on defense is still a major concern. Kentucky was already expected to be without Alex Afari, Tavion Wallace, Antwan Smith, Jaden Smith, and Grant Grayton, while Aba Selm is out on the offensive line.
LSU’s biggest absence remains Whit Weeks, who is out with a leg injury. Beyond that, the Tigers did not add anyone new to the report, and they appear to be heading into Lexington in fairly good shape for Week 6.
With rain and wind expected Saturday night, Kentucky’s linebacker situation could end up being a major factor.
In Other News...
Kentucky Heads Into LSU With A Defensive Concern Fans Will Notice
Kentuckys trip to LSU comes with the usual SEC weight, but the latest injury report gives the matchup an extra layer of scrutiny on the Wildcats side of the ball. Kentucky has a handful of players working through availability questions, including wide receiver DJ Miller listed as probable, while the defensive backfield already has some clear absences with cornerbacks Grant Grayton and Jaden Smith ruled out.
For a team heading into a road game against a conference opponent, those secondary issues are the kind that can shape everything from coverage plans to how aggressive the defense can be early. LSU also has its own notable names on the report, with linebacker Whit Weeks and safety Dashanw Spears out, while quarterback Sam Leavitt is not listed and expected to play, leaving Kentucky with a test that could hinge on which side handles the missing pieces better. [Read more 🡒]
Will Stein Sent Kentucky A Blunt Message After Its 4-1 Start
Kentuckys 4-1 start has given Will Stein an early platform to reinforce the message he has been trying to build in his first season on the job. After the win over South Carolina, Stein addressed the team with a blunt reminder about belief in the program, and later on the SEC Coaches Teleconference he praised the Wildcats for their resilience while making clear there is still plenty of work ahead.
Stein, who arrived after serving as Oregons offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, has brought a steady tone to a group still taking shape under his leadership. The start has created momentum, but his postgame message made the balance obvious: confidence matters, yet Kentucky still has to keep improving if this run is going to mean anything in the SEC race. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Faces One Big Test Before LSU Comes To Kroger Field
Will Stein spent part of his latest remarks addressing something far removed from the white lines, a fake Kenny Minchey quote that had been making the rounds online. The Kentucky coach made clear Minchey never said it and used the moment to steer the conversation back toward what the Wildcats can control, which is the kind of approach that matters in a week when attention can scatter quickly. With LSU headed to Kroger Field, Stein also framed the matchup as another chance for Kentucky to carry over the confidence it has built away from home.
There was football substance in the discussion, too, including Steins explanation of the origin of the short-yardage "Big Blue Wall Play" package Kentucky used recently. It was a useful reminder that the Wildcats are still shaping pieces of their identity even as the schedule stiffens. Replicating that road composure at home against LSU would be the next step, but first Kentucky has to keep the noise outside the building from becoming part of the story. [Read more 🡒]