Vanderbilt’s first injury report for Saturday’s matchup with No. 3 Alabama brought one notable surprise and a handful of expected absences.
The biggest name missing is EDGE rusher Edwin Kolenge, who was listed as out. That’s a real hit for the Commodores’ defensive front.
Kolenge arrived from Boston College as one of Vanderbilt’s top transfer additions and has quickly become one of the key pieces up front. Against Mississippi State, he finished with two tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sack.
On the year, he has three sacks.
Vanderbilt will also be without offensive lineman Ted Gregoire, who has served as a depth option along the line this season.
The Commodores were already bracing for several season-ending injuries, and those names remain off the board. Running back Evan Hampton, linebacker Josiah Broxton, defensive lineman Aaron Bryant and offensive lineman Gunner Givens are all out because of injuries.
Hampton broke a bone in his lower leg during the Kentucky game and his season ended there. Broxton tore his ACL before that Kentucky game, also ending his year.
Bryant’s season was cut short by an ACL injury right before conference play began at the end of September. Givens, meanwhile, suffered a season-ending hip injury a few weeks ago, according to Lea.
Vanderbilt is also still missing backup quarterback Blaze Berlowitz, who is dealing with a collarbone injury, along with linebacker Daniel Vollmer Jr., who is out with an injury.
The encouraging part for Vanderbilt is what the report did not include: no one was listed as doubtful, questionable or probable on Wednesday.
The Commodores enter the game at 4-5 and are trying to make a late push toward bowl eligibility. They’ll host Alabama at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday morning, with kickoff set for 11:45 a.m. CT on SEC Network.
In Other News...
Alabama Just Got The Keelon Russell News Fans Needed
Alabamas quarterback situation got a little clearer this week, and that matters for a Vanderbilt defense that is preparing to see one of the SECs most dangerous teams come to town. Freshman Keelon Russell was banged up in the win over LSU, but he still managed to put together a big night, accounting for 216 total yards and three touchdowns as the Crimson Tide kept rolling.
The early availability report now points toward Russell being on track for Saturdays trip to Nashville, which is the kind of update Alabama wanted as it tries to stay on course for a College Football Playoff berth. The Tide are sitting at No. 3 nationally and close to locking in a spot, so any sign their young quarterback can keep moving the offense is a welcome one as the stakes keep rising. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Faces A Brutal Alabama Reality Ahead Of SEC Test
Greg McElroy is not leaving much room for suspense heading into Alabamas trip to face Vanderbilt. The former Crimson Tide quarterback and current analyst laid out his view on his podcast, pointing to Alabamas offense as the kind of engine that can create separation quickly, while also noting the Commodores issues with turnovers as a major concern in a matchup like this.
For Vanderbilt, the challenge is less about style points and more about finding a way to make the game feel smaller. McElroy said the Commodores would need to keep Alabama from getting too many chances, which is the sort of formula that can keep an underdog alive for a while. Whether Vanderbilt can actually force that kind of game is the central question hanging over a SEC test that already looks steep on paper. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Faces An Alabama Week Distraction Fans Didn't See Coming
Vanderbilt is dealing with an unwelcome off-field headache this week as the university works through a ransomware attack tied to the BYOD group, one that has affected computer systems and cloud services across campus. Administrators are trying to keep essential operations moving, with payroll and public safety among the priorities, while some services such as email and campus Wi-Fi have already been brought back online.
For Clark Lea and the football program, the timing is far from ideal with Alabama on deck, but preparations have continued with minimal disruption. The Commodores have been able to keep their focus on the game plan even as the schools broader recovery effort continues, a reminder that the football team can sometimes feel insulated from campus chaos until the ripple effects start to show up in the smallest ways. [Read more 🡒]