Vanderbilt heads into its SEC opener with the same clean record it’s carried through the first three weeks, but the Commodores are also entering conference play with a familiar Wednesday-night reality: the availability report.
The early list for Saturday’s trip to Auburn includes four Vanderbilt players ruled out. Cornerback Jaylin Lackey, linebacker Jamison Curtis, defensive lineman Aaron Bryant and defensive lineman Nikhil Jefferson are all marked “Out” for the matchup.
That group isn’t a surprise. Clark Lea said earlier that Lackey and Curtis have been dealing with soft tissue injuries and are “week-to-week,” while Bryant was announced a week ago as out for the season after suffering an ACL injury.
The more encouraging development for Vanderbilt is at tight end, where Cole Spence is listed as “Questionable.” Spence has not played in any of the first three games, even though he was expected to step into the primary tight end role after Eli Stowers left.
Lea has been upbeat about Spence’s progress, and he repeated that tone Tuesday.
"Super excited," Lea said in his weekly Tuesday press conference. "The injury he suffered, nine out of 10 people are gonna be out for the season.
But, here's a guy who has done everything the right way. We say sleep, hydration and consumption.
This guy takes care of his body, and his body takes care of him."
When Spence does get back, Vanderbilt expects him to give the offense a real lift and help the group get closer to its ceiling.
On the defensive side, EDGE Brian Allen Jr. is listed as “Probable.” The Iowa transfer has already carved out a role up front, working as the No. 2 option in his position group and giving Vanderbilt another piece it will lean on in the trenches during conference play.
Vanderbilt and Auburn are set for a 3:15 p.m. CT kickoff Saturday on SEC Network.
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Miles Capers and CJ Heard echoed the mindset inside the locker room, embracing the underdog label while recognizing the chance in front of them. For Vanderbilt, the next stretch is about more than protecting an unbeaten start - it is about showing the team can put complete performances together and play with the kind of cohesion Lea has been demanding. [Read more 🡒]