Availability Report: Kentucky will be missing multiple defensive starters against Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is brought to the ground vs. Kentucky - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

SEC football fans now have more clarity on the status of their respective rosters ahead of Saturdays in the fall. The league instituted a new policy in 2024 that requires schools to submit official availability reports.

Each Wednesday-Saturday during SEC game weeks, 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 will be very short-handed on defense against Vanderbilt.

Kentucky Availability Report

OUT

WR Troy Stellato
OLB Sam Greene
CB Jantzen Dunn
RB Jamarion Wilcox
DB Jaden Smith
DB Jordan Lovett
LB Devin Smith
OL Aba Selm
WR David Washington Jr.
TE Elijah Brown

DOUBTFUL

CB DJ Waller Jr.
CB Nasir Addison
OL Malachi Wood

QUESTIONABLE

LB Alex Afari Jr.
CB Terhyon Nichols
DL Kahlil Saunders

Kentucky will be without two defensive starters on Saturday plus rotational nickels Jantzen Dunn and Jaden Smith. The Cats are all of a sudden very thin in the slot. Meanwhile, it looks like DJ Waller Jr. will miss his 10th consecutive game and it’s unlikely that Nasir Addison will be available as he attempts to preserve his redshirt. Kentucky’s offensive tackle depth could also take a hit if Malachi Wood cannot go. There were more defensive starters. Alex Afari Jr., Terhyon Nichols, and Kahlil Saunders are all listed as questionable.

Kentucky could be without starters at linebacker, EDGE, safety, cornerback (x3), and defensive line. The Cats are dealing with a ton of defensive injuries.

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Vanderbilt Availability Report

OUT

DL Yilanan Ouattara
QB Drew Dickey
RB Chase Gillespie
DB Vanzale Hinton
DL Nikhil Jefferson

PROBABLE

OL Clinton Azubuike

Vanderbilt is in much better shape. Starting defensive tackle Yilanan Ouattara has been out of the lineup since Week 2. None of the other players on the availability report were expected to play big snaps for the Commodores this season.

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