Mark Stoops provides bleak injury update on Ramon Jefferson

Kicking off game week versus Florida with a press conference, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops shared a bleak update on the health of running back Ramon Jefferson.

The FCS All-American transfer from Sam Houston State had two carries for 10 years before he suffered a knee injury on Saturday versus Miami (OH). Stoops expects Jefferson to be unavailable for “several weeks” due to the injury.

“We got banged up in that game, Ramon will be out for several weeks, for the extended future,” Stoops said. “We’ll have to see from there where things go.”

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The run game will be a big part of the game plan versus the Gators on Saturday in Gainesville. In last Saturday’s stunner against Utah, the Florida defense allowed 230 yards on the ground, while the Utes chewed up on average 5.9 yards per rush.

JuTahn McClain, who was second on the team with six carries on Saturday, also went to the sideline. He exited the game in the fourth quarter with a lower leg injury. Stoops said he considers McClain a “week-to- week” case.

The team is still playing without returning starter Chris Rodriguez. Although he’s a team captain, Rodriguez is starting the year with a defacto suspension after a summer DUI. Stoops did not reveal whether he would be back for the game versus Florida.

“Being a holiday today I don’t have anything I can report,” Stoops told reporters at Kroger Field. “Again, I’ve always been transparent with you and tried to be the best I can. Again I’ve been advised, there are things going on, there are layers to this I’ve been advised I cannot comment on it. I’m not trying to hide things from you.”

Jefferson ‘out’ for Saturday versus Florida

Last season with the Bearkats, Jefferson rushed for 1,155 yards and 13 touchdowns on the way to his All-American honors. He played three full seasons with Sam Houston from 2018 until 2021, rushing for 28 touchdowns and 2,944 yards in that span.

The 5-foot-10, 215-pound back from the Bronx, N.Y. was fifth in the FCS last season and led Sam Houston to a No. 1 seed in the FCS playoffs. The Bearkats lost in the quarterfinals to Montana State, but Jefferson’s production earned him recognition for the great year. Originally, Jefferson signed with Colorado via the portal but reversed his decision. Jefferson is now a sixth-year senior for the Wildcats.