Clark Lea offers update on multiple Vanderbilt injuries

The Vanderbilt Commodores bowl game aspirations for the 2023 season have left out the window as they sit at 2-8 with just two games left on the calendar. Still, that does not mean they can’t play spoiler in their last two games for South Carolina and Tennessee. But to do so, Vanderbilt will likely need a clean bill of health.

As they prepare for the Week 11 matchup against South Carolina, the Commodores’ head coach, Clark Lea, provided a status update for some of his players currently on the mend.

“Injury-wise, really holding true; De’Marion Thomas will likely be out this week. That came up today,” said Lea. “Quincy Skinner’s working his way back. (He) was able to practice today; good to see that. CJ Taylor is still week-to-week with his knee. He’s back involved in terms of individual, but not yet 100 percent. So we’re giving him time; we’ll see how he responds as the week goes. Really, that’s it as far as his updates from Saturday. Christian James has been fine, and the rest of the guys are looking good.”

While Lea’s injury update was mostly positive, with a number of players expected to be available on Saturday, there is one player whose status is not so good. Graduate senior defensive lineman and team captain Daevion Davis is done for this season and possibly hanging up his shoulder pads for good.

“He’s still around and obviously emotionally connected, but just has gotten to a point with the knee injury where he wasn’t able to do what he needed to do. And he and I spoke about it and spent time. Obviously, this is a guy that loved football, and football has defined a lot of his life to this point. But he’s got so many incredible traits and personality characteristics and care and concern for people. He’s been a leader in this program since I got here and even before I was here.

“He has got a lot of really cool things ahead of him. I think he’d be a fantastic coach, but he’s right now looking for opportunities in service of other people. And I’m, first of all, proud of him and happy for him. But yes, he’s not able to continue because of the knee. Sad thing, but also, I’m excited for him and what he has down the road.”

Davis started out the season out indefinitely. Following Vanderbilt’s victory over Alabama A&M to start the season, Lea said that there was no rush for him to get back right now. Unfortunately, the days turned into weeks, and the weeks rolled into months, and Davis was unable to make a strong enough recovery in order to return to action. Still, his head coach believes that there is a bright future for the young man. Given his love for the sport and how he is a student of the game, Lea sees Davis as a future head coach in the making.