Jacquez Jones questionable to return vs Ole Miss

Kentucky linebacker Jacquez Jones has been deemed questionable to return after suffering an injury early in the third quarter against Ole Miss. Jones would return later in the quarter, but ended up on the ground for a second time upon his return.

“We saw Jacquez Jones get up gingerly after that play,” ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath said. “He was kind of limping on the sidelines, jockeying back and forth grimacing in pain. I’m told he’s dealing with a left foot injury. He’s trying to return right now.”

Jones had a huge interception to end the first half, keeping the score at one possession heading into the halftime locker room. A former transfer from Ole Miss, the senior has totaled 26 tackles on the season and has been one of the anchors of UK’s defensive efforts this season.

WATCH: Lane Kiffin shoves player toward sideline after costly false start on fourth down

Taking on No. 7 Kentucky at home, No. 14 Ole Miss was aggressive to start, with coach Lane Kiffin ratcheting up the tempo on the team’s opening drive and attempting to go for a fourth-and-1 from just inside Kentucky territory. But a false start blew up the attempt, and Kiffin wasn’t happy, shoving one of the responsible players toward the sideline following the miscue.

Kiffin was seen on camera yelling quite a bit before his tight end, Michael Trigg, walked over to the sideline and Kiffin sped him along.

“If you line up without substituting they have to keep the same defensive personnel on the field, then they tried to get the right call in and I think it was Michael Trigg, the tight end, who jumped,” the ESPN broadcast crew said. “That’s who Lane Kiffin was giving an earful to at the end of that play because now, at fourth-and-6, they want to kick the football.”

Lane Kiffin was not happy with Ole Miss tight end Michael Trigg after his false start prevented the Rebels from going for it on 4th and 1.

Kiffin gave Trigg a little shove on his way back to the sidelines. pic.twitter.com/tiR8dQt6XG

— Steve Samra (@SamraSource) October 1, 2022

The Rebels got the ball back quickly after pinning the Wildcats deep, though, so the penalty ultimately didn’t hurt too badly. And Kiffin’s shove itself was relatively benign.

Ole Miss punter Fraser Masin dropped a punt down to the Kentucky 5-yard line after the Rebels were backed up to fourth-and-6. After briefly allowing one first down, the Rebels defense forced a punt. Quarterback Jaxson Dart quickly led a scoring drive that was capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by running back Zach Evans, giving Ole Miss an early 7-0 lead.