Kentucky vs. Georgia: Initial Availability Report

Georgia (4) — Sep 14, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne (1) jumps over Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Kristian Story (4) during the second half at Kroger Field. Georgia won 13-12. Mandatory Credit: Carter Skaggs-Imagn Images

Kentucky is preparing to travel to Athens for its second straight road game in SEC play. We have a better idea of how banged up this team is ahead of the matchup with Georgia.

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).

Ahead of the contest, we learned that DJ Waller is still unlikely to return to action, even though he’s listed as questionable. He suffered a hamstring injury in week one. The starting cornerback has been sidelined ever since.

“It’s one of those injuries with a hamstring that’s touchy. It’s very frustrating for him. He’s worked very hard,” Stoops said on Monday.

“You heard us talking a lot about him in the camp and throughout the summer. He worked really hard, and continues to work hard. It’s frustrating for him. For guys that have never been through that before, you try to educate them and help them and talk through it about how you feel like you’re okay, but then the minute you’ve got to go after somebody and open it up, it’s just a different deal. We’ll continue to gauge that.”

Kentucky Availability Report

OUT
RB #10 Jamarion Wilcox
DB #21 Nasir Addison
DB #24 Jaden Smith
DL #55 Nic Smith
WR #82 David Washington Jr.
TE #85 Elijah Brown
WR #89 Preston Bowman

QUESTIONABLE
DB #5 DJ Waller Jr.
ILB #32 Devin Smith
OL #53 Aba Selm

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PROBABLE
QB #5 Zach Calzada

There are two surprising developments. It appears that Zach Calzada may be available if the Cats need him. He started the first two games of the season before suffering an injury to his throwing shoulder, paving the way for Cutter Boley to step into a starting role. You probably have not paid a ton of attention to Jaden Smith, but the sophomore has been exceptional near the line of scrimmage as a big nickel in Kentucky’s medium package.

Georgia Availability Report

OUT
TE #9 Ethan Barbour
OL #51 Malachi Toliver
OL #71 Earnest Greene III
WR #88 Thomas Blackshear

Georgia will once again be without starting offensive tackle Earnest Greene III. He missed a couple of games with a back injury, forcing the Dawgs to shuffle the deck. They’ve started four different offensive line combinations through the first month of the 2025 season.

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