Kentucky is 'optimistic' that Seth McGowan, DJ Waller Jr. will return to lineup next week

Kentucky’s 2024 season was riddled with injuries that started during spring practice and did not slow down during the season. Staying healthy throughout the year was a concerted goal for Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops and his football program. UK has mostly accomplished that mission through five games but two notable players are dealing with different injuries.

Starting cornerback DJ Waller Jr. (hamstring) has not played since Kentucky’s Week 1 win over Toledo. The junior was suited up for the Georgia game over the weekend but did not receive any playing time. Starting tailback Seth McGowan (unspecified) was pulled from the game in the third quarter as he has been dealing with some type of lingering injury.

Will UK get the starters back against Texas? Only time will tell but each appears to be trending in the right direction.

“I don’t have to report this week,” Stoops told the media on Wednesday. “I’m optimistic that next week that they’ll be both ready to go.”

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McGowan is enjoying a big season as he leads Kentucky in rushing yards (431) and total touchdowns (seven). The former Oklahoma and New Mexico State tailback is on pace to rush for 1,034 yards this season. Kentucky has pivoted to McGowan becoming a bell cow tailback in this offense and needs him on the field.

Waller was a huge spring transfer portal recruiting win for UK ahead of the 2024 season. After playing for Michigan’s national championship team in 2023, expectations were high for the Youngstown native. Unfortunately, injuries have lingered. The junior missed five games last season after battling injuries during fall camp. Waller enjoyed a healthy offseason but hurt his hamstring in Week 1. That caused Kentucky’s starting cornerback to miss four consecutive games. Perimeter tackling has been an issue for this defense all season and it has hurt the Cats not having Waller on the field.

The program is hopeful that both starters will return to the lineup against Texas after the bye week.