Chip Trayanum out, but a starter could be back for SEC opener

Running back Chip Trayanum will miss his second straight game with a hand injury, but Kentucky football could return two players from the second team roster who did not play in the opening game this week against South Carolina.

In the first injury report of the season in Great Britain, released on Wednesday, tight end Josh Kattus was listed as likely and cornerback DJ Waller as questionable.

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

For Saturday games, the first report must be submitted by Wednesday at 8pm. Coaches will then update the players' status in the report daily, with the last update being 90 minutes before kickoff.

Players are marked on the report as out (not playing), doubtful (likely not to play), questionable (uncertain to play), probable (likely to play) or available. Only student-athletes who regularly participate in games are required to be listed on the report, and schools are not required to provide any information about why the player may be unavailable for the game.

Players who are suspended or unavailable due to eligibility or other personal matters must also be listed as absent, but schools may indicate whether the absence is due to injury or another factor.

During the Gameday Update, the only allowable designations available are “Out” or “Game Time Decision” (the player must be assessed by medical staff during pre-game warm-ups before availability is determined).

The SEC office can fine schools for failing to comply in good faith with the injury reporting policy. The fine for the first offense is $25,000, for the second offense $50,000, and for the third and subsequent offenses $100,000. The league office can review practice videos and interview players to investigate possible violations of the injury reporting policy.

Injury report for the Kentucky Football Team

Out of

RB Chip Trayanum

DL Darrion Henry-Young

OT Courtland Ford

WR Hardley Gilmore

DL Josaih Hayes

DL Tavion Gadson

Doubtful

WR Brandon White

LB Devin Smith

Questionable

CB DJ Waller

Probably

DL Keeshawn Silver

RB Jamarion Wilcox

LB Grant Godfrey

TE Josh Kattus

Injury report for the South Carolina football team

Out of

OL Jakai Moore

Doubtful

DB Emory Floyd

Questionable

LB Bangally Kamara

DB David Spaulding

EDGE Gilbert Edmond

Probably

EDGE Bryan Thomas Jr.

What you need to know

All players listed on Kentucky's injury report have known injuries.

Trayanum, who was expected to start at running back after transferring from Ohio State, suffered a hand injury in training camp. Gilmore, the freshman who received the most praise from coaches in spring practice and the first week of training 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 questionable on Kentucky's injury report were expected to contribute much at the start of the season, but Waller was expected to compete for a spot in the starting lineup at cornerback after transferring from Michigan. An unspecified injury sidelined him for part of training camp and prevented him from playing in the opening game. JQ Hardaway, the cornerback who started in his place, recorded an interception against Southern Miss.

Kattus was slowed by an unspecified injury in training camp and was dressed for the opener but did not play in the blitz-shortened game. Godfrey, who missed the entire 2023 season due to injury, did not play in the opener but will be blocked at inside linebacker behind several veterans. 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 in the Gamecocks' lineup this week, but he did not play in the opening game due to a hamstring injury. Moore and Floyd also did not play in the opening game. Moore, who has started 28 games in his career, is dealing with a long-term injury, according to a report from The State.

Due to the shortened opening phase of British football, we still need further information on these questions

Three things that give Kentucky football a reason to be happy and worried ahead of its SEC opener

Despite their controversies, Mark Stoops and Shane Beamer have a lot in common

This Kentucky football rookie could give Benny Snell a throwback early in life

Will South Carolina become Kentucky football’s biggest rival in the SEC?