Kentucky will be without several starters again versus Tennessee

Kentucky football will be missing several key players when they take on Tennessee.

The 2024 Kentucky football season has had to deal with a number of issues that have led to three straight losses. The offense, in particular, has struggled, and they’ve failed to score enough points. Injuries have certainly been a part of that.

As the Wildcats prepare to face the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, they will, once again, be dealing with some key injuries. Each SEC team is required to report injured players, and designate them as either Out, Doubtful, Questionable, or Probably.

Related: SEC football power rankings for week nine

This week’s availability report has multiple Kentucky players, and key contributors listed as out.

On offense, running back Chip Trayanum continues to deal with a hand issue that has caused him to miss nearly every game. Tackle Gerald Mincey and tight end Jordan Dingle are also both listed as out.

The defensive side of the ball is particularly hard hit. Cornerback Maxwell Hairston will be out again, dealing with a shoulder injury. J.J. Weaver and D’Eryk Jackson are also out, and are huge losses for the Wildcats.

Beating Tennessee was going to be very difficult under optimal conditions. With so many starters missing. It will be even tougher.

Cornerback Maxwell Hairston will be out again versus Vanderbilt

Maxwell Hairston won’t play for Kentucky football after being listed as out on the availability report.

Kentucky football was without the services of cornerback Maxwell Hairston when the upset Ole Miss in week five. If they want to take out Vanderbilt this week, they’ll have to do it without their top defensive back once again.

The first availability report of the week was released on Wednesday night and Hairston has already been given the “out” designation. He is one of ten players on the report for Kentucky.

Related: Kentucky vs Vanderbilt: Five things to watch for

Running back Chip Trayanum joins Hairston as “out” on Saturday, as he continues to deal with his hand injury. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff also showed up this week, although he is listed as “probable.”

The SEC teams will continue to update the availability report throughout the rest of the week, including on final update on Saturday. Here is the full list of names on Wednesday night’s first report of the week. Players can be listed as out, doubtful, questionable, or probable, which translates to 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% chance to play respectively.

Chip Trayanum – Running back: Out

Maxwell Hairston – Cornerback: Out

Josaih Hayes – Defensive line: Out

Tavion Gadson – Defensive line: Out

Darrion Henry-Young – Defensive line: Out

Terhyon Nichols – Cornerback: Doubtful

Brock Vandagriff – Quarterback: Probable

Keeshawn Silver – Defensive line: Probable

Courtland Ford – Offensive line: Probable

Hardley Gilmore IV – Wide receiver: Probable