Eli Cox suffers injury, "more than likely" out for the 2021 season

The Kentucky football injury report is growing. After suffering a season-long casualty on the defensive line, we now have on one the Big Blue Wall. Offensive guard Eli Cox suffered an injury against Tennessee that Mark Stoops said “more than likely” will sideline him for the rest of the 2021 season.

Cox has been arguably the greatest surprise for the Wildcats this season. A Nicholasville native, the West Jessamine product was an unheralded recruit when he signed in 2019. In his first season starting at right guard he has been turning heads across the country.

Cox was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after recording seven knock down blocks against LSU. ESPN and the Associated Press each named Cox a Midseason All-American.

This is the part of the post where I share all of the Wildcats who have suffered season-ending injuries. To be frank, it’s difficult to recall all of them this quickly. DL Octavious Oxendine was the most recent victim in the war of attrition. LB D’Eryk Jackson was the first, suffering a torn Achilles in the spring (but he has dressed in a few recent games). WR Clevan Thomas also went down in spring practice and TE Keaton Upshaw was lost for the season over the summer. In total Adam Luckett counted 16 injuries that forced contributors to miss playing time.

Cox’s Replacement

When injuries like this happen, it’s all about the next man up. In this case the next man has played a lot of football at Kentucky. Austin Dotson will be the first to hear his number called. Quintin Wilson will receive reps spelling Dotson and Kenneth Horsey at each guard position.

The wild card that could play significant role down the stretch is Jager Burton. The highest ranked player in the 2021 UK football recruiting class, he has the chops to make an impact as a true freshman, but the Wildcats would like to preserve his redshirt year. He still has three games available to play and still retain his eligibility.