Kentucky and Vanderbilt have both put out their first injury reports for Saturday night’s Week 8 matchup at Kroger Field, and the biggest name on the board is Kentucky linebacker Sam Greene.
Greene is doubtful, which puts his status in real question for this one. He’s played every game this season after working back from an ACL tear suffered near the end of last season, so Kentucky will be hoping this is only a short-term setback and that he can return after the Wildcats’ Week 9 bye.
Kentucky’s backfield could get a boost, though. Running back CJ Baxter is listed as probable after dressing for the Oklahoma game but not playing, so he should be available.
Wide receiver Nic Anderson is also in the mix, but not quite as securely. He left Saturday’s win in Norman late with an injury and is listed as questionable, leaving his status up in the air for now.
There’s encouraging news at linebacker for Kentucky as well. Tavion Wallace, who had missed the last three games, tweeted Wednesday that he had returned to practice, and the official report has him listed as probable.
That’s a welcome sign for a position group that has been stretched thin. Fellow linebacker Antawn Smith, however, has been ruled out after getting hurt at South Carolina and missing the last two games.
The Wildcats will also be without cornerbacks Grant Grayton and Jaden Smith, with Jaden Smith having been injured at South Carolina and not playing since then. Defensive tackle Kalen Edwards is probable, defensive end Tyler Thomas is questionable, and long-snapper Cole Marszalek is doubtful.
On Vanderbilt’s side, starting cornerback Cayden Daniels is probable. Backup defensive end Brian Allen Jr. is out, while backup quarterback Blaze Berlowitz remains out after injuring his collarbone in Week 6 against Ole Miss. Backup defensive end Haydon Brey is probable, and backup linebacker Josiah Broxton is doubtful.
The Commodores also list backup safeties Dontae Carter and Devin Chandler as questionable, while backup guard Mitchell Smith is probable.
Vanderbilt’s injury list gets longer from there: defensive lineman Aaron Bryant, linebacker Jamison Curtis, offensive lineman Gunner Givens, defensive lineman Nikhil Jefferson, cornerback Jaylin Lackey, and wide receiver Kahden Smith are all out for the week.
In Other News...
Will Stein Had The Perfect Response To Kentuckys Viral TV Moment
Kentuckys win over Oklahoma was already a notable one, but the postgame scene that followed quickly became its own talking point. In a clip that spread fast on social media, SEC Networks Tori Petry accidentally framed the Wildcats as the underdog in the matchup, asking Will Stein how it felt to beat a ranked team on the road when Kentucky was the ranked team.
Stein handled it exactly the way a coach would want, responding with grace in the moment and then making it clear he understands the work sideline reporters do. He stressed that everyone makes mistakes, a timely reminder in a sport where those exchanges are often dissected almost as closely as the game itself, and it also set the stage for Kentuckys next broadcast look as the Wildcats move on to their upcoming matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Bryce Underwood Just Became A Wild Kentucky QB Storyline
Bryce Underwoods sudden benching at Michigan has turned one of college footballs biggest young storylines into an immediate guessing game, and Kentucky naturally belongs in that conversation. The Wildcats have already been mentioned among the potential landing spots if Underwood chooses to explore a transfer, thanks in part to the kind of recruiting intrigue that tends to resurface fast when a high-profile quarterback situation changes.
There is still a long way between speculation and anything concrete, of course, and it is not even confirmed that Underwood will enter the portal. But with programs like LSU, Miami, Texas Tech, Georgia and Kentucky all floating around the discussion, the attention around his next move is only going to intensify, especially given the size of the NIL commitment he is already tied to at Michigan. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Stoops Knows Kentucky Cannot Sleepwalk Through This SEC Spot
Kentuckys recent surge has put Mark Stoops in a familiar spot, with his team riding a five-game winning streak and sitting in a share of first place in the Southeastern Conference. The Wildcats have leaned on a defense that has been generating turnovers, and Stoops has made it clear the groups edge has been a big part of why Kentucky has climbed into the league race.
But the next test carries its own danger, especially against a Vanderbilt team Stoops has been willing to praise in advance of the matchup. He had good things to say about Clark Leas program and the challenge it can present, which is part of why this feels like the kind of SEC week Kentucky cannot afford to treat lightly, even with momentum on its side. [Read more 🡒]