Analyzing Kentucky's injury report ahead of South Carolina matchup

South Carolina will host Kentucky this weekend in a virtual must-win game for both teams–at least as much as one can be labeled “must-win” in September.

In order for either team to earn a first conference win, they must do so short-handed.

South Carolina has ruled out offensive linemen Cason Henry and Nolan Hay and defensive back Buddy Mack for the contest, and Kentucky has a long list of players included on its SEC-mandated availability report.

According to the Friday night report, wide receivers David Washington and Preston Bowman, tight end Elijah Brown, running back Jamarion Wilcox, defensive lineman Nic Smith, and cornerback DJ Waller are out. Quarterback Zach Calzada and offensive lineman Aba Selm are questionable.

But what does this mean for Saturday’s matchup between the Gamecocks and Wildcats?

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DJ Waller at cornerback is, arguably, the biggest missing piece for Kentucky this weekend. He was a starter at corner for the ‘Cats in the season opener but hasn’t played since going down with an injury in that contest. Terhyon Nichols, Waller’s backup, exited Kentucky’s most recent game against Eastern Michigan but was not on Thursday’s injury report.

Running back Jamarion Wilcox led the team in rushing in 2024; however, he hasn’t played this fall. Head coach Mark Stoops suspended him for an unspecified violation of team rules before the season. On Friday, law enforcement arrested him for first-degree sexual abuse. Big, physical rushers like Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell have carried the load in his stead this season. South Carolina head coach singled out McGowan as a player his defense has to watch for on Saturday.

Zach Calzada was the starting quarterback early in the year, but freshman Cutter Boley replaced him upon his shoulder injury. Boley will make his first SEC road start of the year this weekend. Calzada has more experience, but the shoulder ailment has his availability in doubt. Some around Kentucky believe Boley would have started, regardless of Calzada’s status.

At receiver, former Clemson pass-catcher Troy Stellato could play on Saturday to help offset some of the dings against the team’s receiver depth. He hasn’t registered a stat as a Wildcat but is off the injury report this week after missing last week. Freshman Preston Bowman was not expected to be a major part of the Kentucky passing game. However, David Washington had a good spring before his fall camp injury and projected as a rotational receiver.

Though Nic Smith’s inactive status shouldn’t affect the UK defensive line too much, the Wildcats are getting back rotational defensive tackle Josaih Hayes.

Tight end Elijah Brown was a four-star prospect out of high school but hasn’t played much in college. With previous stops at Alabama, Florida Atlantic, and UCF, he hadn’t cracked the rotation in Lexington before his injury. His injury likely doesn’t alter the Kentucky game plan.

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