UK football injury report: Chip Trayanum out, but one starter should be back for SEC opener

Running back Chip Trayanum will miss a second consecutive game with a hand injury, but Kentucky football could return two players on the two-deep depth chart this week against South Carolina who did not play in the opener.

Tight end Josh Kattus was listed as probable on Wednesday then upgraded to available on Thursday. Cornerback DJ Waller was listed as questionable on UK’s first injury report of the season.

For the first time, SEC schools are required to provide injury reports prior to conference games this season.

For Saturday games, the first report must be filed by 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Coaches will then update the status of players on the report each day with the final update coming 90 minutes before kickoff time.

Players on the report are designated as out (will not play), doubtful (unlikely to play), questionable (uncertain to play), probable (likely to play) or available. Only athletes who regularly participate in games are required to be included on the report, and schools do not have to provide any information about why the player might not be available for the game.

Players who are suspended or unavailable due to an eligibility or other personal matter must also be listed as out, but schools can choose whether to specify if the absence is due to an injury or some other factor.

On the game day update the only permissible designations are available, out or game-time decision (the player needs to be evaluated by medical staff during pregame warm-ups before determining availability).

The SEC office can fine schools for failing to abide by the injury reporting policy in good faith. A fine for the first offense is $25,000, the fine for the second offense is $50,000 and the fine for the third and any subsequent offenses is $100,000. The league office can review practice film and interview players to investigate any potential violations of the injury reporting policy.

Kentucky football injury report (Nov. 5)

Out

RB Chip Trayanum

DL Darrion Henry-Young

OT Courtland Ford

WR Hardley Gilmore

DL Josaih Hayes

DL Tavion Gadson

Doubtful

WR Brandon White

Questionable

CB DJ Waller

South Carolina football injury report (Nov. 5)

Out

OL Jakai Moore

Doubtful

DB Emory Floyd

Questionable

DB David Spaulding

Probable

LB Bangally Kamara

EDGE Bryan Thomas Jr.

EDGE Gilber Edmond

What you need to know

All of the players listed as out on Kentucky’s availability report are dealing with previously known injuries.

Trayanum, who was expected to start at running back after transferring from Ohio State, suffered a hand injury in preseason camp. Gilmore, the freshman who garnered the most praise from coaches in spring practice and the first week of camp, also suffered a long-term injury in UK’s first preseason scrimmage.

Ford, Henry-Young, Hayes and Gadson are recovering from offseason injuries or surgeries.

Neither of the two players listed as doubtful on Kentucky’s injury report were expected to be major contributors early in the season, but Waller was expected to compete for a starting cornerback job after transferring from Michigan. An undisclosed injury sidelined him for part of camp and kept him from dressing out in the opener. JQ Hardaway, the cornerback who started in his place, recorded an interception against Southern Miss.

In Thursday’s update, UK removed four players listed as probable on Wednesday (Josh Kattus, Jamarion Wilcox, Keeshawn Silver and Grant Godfrey), indicating they will be available for the game.

Kattus was slowed by an undisclosed injury in camp and did dress out for the opener but did not play in the lightning-shortened game. Godfrey, who missed all of the 2023 season with an injury, did not play in the opener but is blocked behind multiple veterans at inside linebacker. Silver and Wilcox played against Southern Miss.

Of the players listed on South Carolina’s injury report, only Thomas was listed as a possible starter on the Gamecocks’ depth chart this week, but he did not play in the opener due to a hamstring injury. Moore and Floyd also did not play in the opener. Moore, who has started 28 games in his career, is dealing with a long-term injury, according to a report from The State.

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