Kentucky’s defense could be stretched thin when LSU comes to Kroger Field, but there is at least one encouraging sign for the Wildcats heading into Saturday night.
The latest injury update moved Kalen Edwards from questionable to doubtful, a setback for a Kentucky defense already dealing with several absences. Edwards has been an important piece in the middle of the unit, and his workload has reflected that. He has played 117 snaps this season and posted a 91.9 Pro Football Focus grade in Week 2 against Alabama.
Kentucky had already been ruled out on defense for Alex Afari, Tavion Wallace, Antwan Smith, Jaden Smith, and Grant Grayton. On the offensive line, Aba Selm is also out. The good news for the Wildcats is that starting long snapper Cole Marszalek was removed from the report and appears set to return this week.
There is also a lift coming on offense: DJ Miller is not listed on the report and appears ready to get back on the field. That would give Kentucky another weapon at a good time, especially after Nic Anderson finally broke through in Columbia. With Miller, Anderson, and Kenny Darby, the Wildcats could have a three-man group that gives opposing defenses real problems.
LSU’s biggest injury concern remains Whit Weeks, who is still out with a leg injury. No additional players were added to the report, and the Tigers appear to be coming into Lexington fairly healthy for Week 6.
With rain and wind expected Saturday night, Kentucky’s linebacker situation could loom large.
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Kentucky Gets One Big Boost As LSU Test Meets Injury Trouble
Kentucky heads into its matchup with LSU dealing with a thin defensive chart, with Alex Afari, Tavion Wallace, Antwan Smith, Jaden Smith and Grant Grayton all set to miss the game. The Wildcats are also expected to be without offensive lineman Aba Selm, a hit that only adds to the challenge of matching up physically in a game where depth and versatility already matter plenty.
The one encouraging note for Kentucky is on special teams, where long snapper Cole Marszalek is expected back after sitting out. Kalen Edwards, meanwhile, has slipped from questionable to doubtful, leaving the Wildcats with even fewer options as they prepare for one of the seasons tougher tests. On the other side, LSUs biggest injury issue centers on linebacker Whit Weeks, who is out with a leg injury. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky's LSU Shot Has Real Upset Energy For One Big Reason
Kentuckys next shot at a signature win comes with a familiar kind of pull: a ranked opponent coming into Kroger Field and the chance to turn an ordinary Saturday into something the fan base remembers. Since 2021, the Wildcats have handled this sort of stage better than the broader narrative suggests, going 4-8 straight up against top-10 teams and 9-3 against the spread in those games, with a home win over Florida in 2021 still standing as the clearest example of what this place can feel like when everything lines up.
The interesting part now is that this will be the first time a top-10 team has visited Kroger Field in the Will Stein era, which gives the matchup a different edge even before the ball is snapped. Kentucky has already shown it can pop up with a top-10 upset in 2023, 2024 and 2026, including one against a Lane Kiffin-coached team, so the question is less about whether the Wildcats have ever belonged in this kind of conversation and more about whether they can finally deliver another home breakthrough when it matters most. [Read more 🡒]
Kentuckys First LSU Availability Report Brings Relief And Real Concern
The SECs new availability report is already giving Kentucky fans something concrete to scan ahead of the LSU matchup, and the early returns are a mixed bag. The Wildcats updated list shows linebacker Alex Afari Jr. and Antwan Smith as out, while defensive tackle Kalen Edwards lands in the doubtful category, a combination that leaves obvious questions for a defense trying to sort itself out before a tough conference test.
There is some relief in the same report, though, because wide receiver DJ Miller and longsnapper Cole Marszalek are expected to be available after dealing with their own uncertainty in recent weeks. Even with those small positives, the overall picture still matters for Kentuckys depth and game-day planning, and the rest of the report will be watched closely as kickoff gets closer. [Read more 🡒]