We are just under 48 hours away from Texas’s first-ever football game at Kentucky. We found out on Wednesday that <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/arch-manning-7353/">Arch Manning</a> will be taking snaps from a new center. What’s in store for Thursday night’s <a href="https://www.secsports.com/fbreports">availability report</a>? More bad news for the Horns’ offensive line.



Each Wednesday of SEC contests, both schools will share an availability report. It will be updated nightly, with one final ruling an hour before kickoff on Saturdays. Players must be listed as out (0% chance to play), doubtful (25% chance to play), questionable (50% chance to play), or probable (75% chance to play).



Kentucky is healthy entering the fourth SEC game of the season. Texas is banged up in the trenches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kentucky-football-availability-report">Kentucky Football Availability Report</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>RB Jamarion Wilcox: Out</li>



<li>OLB Jacob Smith: Out</li>



<li>CB Nasir Addison: Out</li>



<li>LB Devin Smith: Out</li>



<li>DL Nic Smith: Out</li>



<li>WR David Washington Jr.: Out</li>



<li>TE Elijah Brown: Out</li>



<li>WR Troy Stellato: Questionable</li>



<li>OL Aba Selm: Probable</li>



<li>DB Jaden Smith: Probable</li>
</ul>



Starting cornerback <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/dj-waller-jr-156546/">DJ Waller Jr.</a> is officially back. Kentucky should also get nickel <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/jaden-smith-157318/">Jaden Smith</a> back this weekend after he missed the Georgia game. This might be the healthiest the roster has looked since the inception of availability reports for the 2024 season.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-texas-availability-report">Texas Availability Report</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>WR Aaron Butler: Out</li>



<li>LB Jonathan Cunningham: Out</li>



<li>OL Cole Hutson: Out</li>



<li>DB Xavier Filsaime: Out</li>



<li>OL Connor Stroh: Out</li>



<li>RB CJ Baxter: Doubtful</li>



<li>DL Maraad Watson: Questionable</li>
</ul>



Texas is without starting center <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/cole-hutson-145091/">Cole Hutson</a> for the first time this season. He will not be the only starting offensive lineman sidelined. Redshirt sophomore <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/connor-stroh-147217/">Connor Stroh</a> has started at left guard in every game for Texas this season. The Horns’ line has struggled. Now they’re down two starters? Not ideal for Sark’s squad. 



Reserve defensive back <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/xavier-filsaime-121995/">Xavier Filsaime</a> was also downgraded to out. <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/maraad-watson-235834/">Maraad Watson</a> has played a big role at defensive tackle and would be a notable absence. 



<a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/cj-baxter-jr-19284/">CJ Baxter</a> is recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him during the entire 2024 campaign. He’s played in three games this year. If he’s unable to go, they’ll be light in the running back room after RB3 <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/jerrick-gibson-61041/">Jerrick Gibson</a> opted to leave the team this week and use a redshirt before hitting the transfer portal this offseason. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Want more coverage of the Cats? Join KSR+</h2>



KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. In the middle of a pressure-packed Kentucky football season for Mark Stoops, now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. 



<a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/kentucky-wildcats/join/">JOIN HERE!</a>

KSR Football

Availability Report: Texas Down Two Offensive Line Starters

What a difference two weeks makes at Kentucky. The Wildcats crumbled down the stretch vs. Missouri on January 7 to fall to 9-6 on the year and 0-2 in

Texas vs Kentucky on 1/21/2026 - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3

KSR Basketball

KSR's top takeaways from Kentucky's first four-game SEC winning streak under Mark Pope

Malachi Moreno didn't score 18-plus points like a trio of his teammates did against Texas on Wednesday night, but his impact on Kentucky's 85-80 win

Malachi Moreno - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Malachi Moreno and his black eye stuffed the stat sheet in win over Texas

Kentucky can't escape the injury bug. Kam Williams broke his foot during the second half vs. Texas, Mark Pope announced. Pope said the sophomore

kam-williams-broke-his-foot-vs-texas-mark-pope-announces

Kam Williams broke his foot vs. Texas, Mark Pope announces

It could've been easy for the Kentucky Wildcats to use Kam Williams' second-half injury -- later announced as a broken foot -- as an excuse to fall

Wildcats react to Kam Williams' injury: 'He's a soldier, he's gonna get right.'

It got a little scary at the end, but Kentucky took care of business, beating Texas 85-80 to win its fourth consecutive game. That ties the longest

kentucky-sec-winning-streak-longest-mark-pope-era

Kentucky's SEC winning streak is the longest in the Mark Pope era

Collin Chandler drilled a three-pointer over Texas big man Matas Vokietaitis and gave the seven-footer the tongue-out staredown. Moments later,

Jan 21, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Collin Chandler (5) celebrates with guard Walker Horn after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

collin-chandler-texas

Tongue out, sick, and clutch: Was that Collin Chandler or MJ?

Coming into Wednesday night, no team in all of Division I men's college basketball got to the free-throw line more consistently than the Texas

Kentucky overpowered Texas by beating the Longhorns at their own game

The NCAA is at a crossroads with player eligibility. The newest trend is seeing players who have signed NBA contracts return to college basketball.

Jan 21, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope reacts to a play during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

‘Bring Back Sanity’: Mark Pope Calls for NCAA Tournament Action Amid Pro-to-College Pathway

Kentucky got a big win tonight, but given the news about Kam Williams, it wasn't exactly a celebratory press conference. Mark Pope announced that

mark-pope-talks-kam-williams-collin-chandler-ncaa-eligibility-kentucky-texas-press-conference

WATCH: Mark Pope talks Kam Williams, Collin Chandler, NCAA after Texas win

Stop what you're doing. We have highlights from Kentucky's 85-80 win over Texas, courtesy of the UK Sports Video crew on YouTube. Relive the best

Celebrate Kentucky's fourth straight SEC win with highlights from the one over Texas

Make it four straight SEC wins for the good guys. Kentucky returned home to Lexington from its two-game road swing and kept the momentum going

Bundle up for KSR's Rapid Reaction to Kentucky's win over Texas

For the first time in the Mark Pope era, Kentucky has won four straight conference games.  On Wednesday night in Rupp Arena, the Wildcats (13-6; 4-2

FINAL: Kentucky takes down Texas 85-80, wins 4th straight SEC game

It's time for Kentucky to build on its momentum from two big road wins at home. KSR's LIVE BLOG will have all the sights and sounds from Rupp Arena

kentucky-texas-ksr-live-blog-score-updates-highlights

LIVE BLOG: Kentucky vs. Texas

How about Kentucky not needing a miraculous second-half effort for a change? That always feels good -- even if it doesn't necessarily mean the

G_OkH5jWEAAxYwa

Hey, Kentucky doesn't have to overcome a massive halftime deficit vs. Texas!

A few days removed from winning the Louisville Invitational Tournament, top-ranked St. Xavier ran into the son of a talented former Kentucky Wildcat

North Oldham High School eighth-grader Pierre Rondo (2) scored 29 points during the Mustang's 75-54 KHSAA season opener win over Ballard Monday night, December 1, 2025 in Goshen, Kentucky - Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

8th grader Pierre Rondo fuels North Oldham's upset of top-ranked St. Xavier

Good afternoon, friends. We've still got a few hours to go until tipoff of Kentucky vs. Texas, which means plenty of work ahead for the basketball

uk-fans-of-the-day-want-kentucky-vs-texas-pregame-notes

UK Fans of the Day Want Kentucky vs. Texas Pregame Notes

Turn your horns down and your radio up as the KSR Pregame Show goes live to get you ready for Kentucky versus Texas in Rupp Arena. The Wildcats

Turn your horns down and your radio up for the KSR Pregame Show before UK-Texas

Slow starts are nothing new for these Kentucky Wildcats -- and neither are electric finishes, this past week being the greatest example of both of

616809297_1455429946240777_6695139048182774550_n

Mark Pope explains second-half explosions -- and how close Kentucky is to breaking through in the first

Jaland Lowe's season is officially over. Kentucky's junior point guard will soon undergo surgery on his right shoulder to repair an injury he

Jaland Lowe talks to Mark Pope during Kentucky's win over St. John's - Photo by Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio

How Jaland Lowe's injury could 'change his basketball career' for the better

The 2027 high school recruiting cycle has come into focus for the Kentucky football program. The Wildcats just wrapped up a huge junior day weekend

LSU remains in pursuit of 4-star Colton Nussmeier (Photo: On3)

KSR Football Recruiting

Kentucky is pursuing familiar QB name on recruiting trail

Kentucky and Tennessee have had extremely similar seasons to this point, but both have gotten to where they are now in different ways. For example,

kentucky-has-tall-task-trying-end-tennessees-hot-streak-start-sec-play

KSR Women's Basketball

Kentucky has tall task of trying to end Tennessee's hot streak to start SEC play

The Wildcats had plenty of fun on the road last week, turning 17-plus-point deficits into back-to-back victories at LSU and Tennessee, but can they

NCAA Basketball: Texas at Alabama

Kentucky vs. Texas: Preview, Odds & How to Watch

Don't let these Kentucky Wildcats get hot! After a 9-6 start in Mark Pope's second season in Lexington, they've rattled off back-to-back-to-back

NCAA Basketball: Texas A&amp;M at Texas

KSR Staff Predictions: Kentucky vs. Texas

Former Alabama center Charles Bediako is now current Alabama center Charles Bediako after suing the NCAA, granted a temporary restraining order to

alabama-head-basketball-coach-nate-oats-reveals-injury-to-center-charles-badiako

23-year-old Charles Bediako immediately eligible to play for Alabama after suing NCAA

"We're the villains today, fellas. It doesn't get any better than that -- being the villain in this place."  Those were Cody Fueger's words to the

Availability Report: Texas Down Two Offensive Line Starters

Discuss This Article

Kam Williams broke his foot vs. Texas, Mark Pope announces

Wildcats react to Kam Williams' injury: 'He's a soldier, he's gonna get right.'

Kentucky's SEC winning streak is the longest in the Mark Pope era

Tongue out, sick, and clutch: Was that Collin Chandler or MJ?

Kentucky overpowered Texas by beating the Longhorns at their own game

‘Bring Back Sanity’: Mark Pope Calls for NCAA Tournament Action Amid Pro-to-College Pathway

WATCH: Mark Pope talks Kam Williams, Collin Chandler, NCAA after Texas win

Celebrate Kentucky's fourth straight SEC win with highlights from the one over Texas

Kam Williams

UK 85, Texas 80

Collin Chandler's Flu Game

"Bring Back Sanity"

Staff Predictions