As Kentucky (2-4, 0-4 SEC) prepares for a critical home showdown against Tennessee (5-2, 2-2 SEC), the Wildcats are grappling with a lengthy injury report that significantly impacts their depth on both sides of the ball.
Who's officially out
The list of players definitively ruled out for Saturday night's game is concerning:
- WR Troy Stellato (#0): A blow to the receiving corps depth.
- DB DJ Waller Jr. (#5): A major setback after hopes he would return last week; secondary remains thin.
- RB Jamarion Wilcox (#10): Still dealing with legal issues.
- OLB Jacob Smith (#16): Impacts pass rush rotation.
- ILB Devin Smith (#32): Affects linebacker depth.
- DL Nic Smith (#55): Another loss on the defensive line.
- WR David Washington Jr. (#82)
- TE Elijah Brown (#85)
Key players on the bubble
Several important contributors are listed as questionable or probable, and their availability could swing the game:
- RB Seth McGowan (#3) - Questionable: McGowan's status is perhaps the most critical. Kentucky desperately needs his presence in the run game to control the clock against Tennessee's high-powered offense. His absence would put immense pressure on other backs who have struggled in SEC play. He is officially a game-time decision.
- WR Fred Farrier II (#13) - Questionable: Another potential hit to the receiving options.
- OL Aba Selm (#53) - Questionable: Offensive line depth is always crucial in a game where you need to block a big defensive line.
- DL Kahlil Saunders (#92) - Probable: His likely availability is good news for the defensive front.
Silver linings and the challenge ahead
The good news is that tight ends Willie Rodriguez and Josh Kattus are completely off the injury report, providing reliable targets for QB Cutter Boley, especially in the red zone.
However, facing Tennessee's offense (ranked 10th nationally in scoring) with a potentially depleted defense and questionable backfield depth is a monumental task. Kentucky will need its available players to step up significantly if they hope to snap their painful SEC home losing streak.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion