Clark Lea provides injury updates ahead of Week 3

Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea offered an update on a few injuries heading into a Week 3 matchup against UNLV. The Commodores have been without starting right tackle Junior Uzebu for the past two weeks after he suffered an undisclosed injury in the season opener.

However, Lea offered some good news on that injury, saying that he returned to practice Tuesday. His status is still up in the air for Saturday, but it seems he is getting closer to getting back on the field.

“Junior was able to do some work today,” Lea said. “I would say he’s day-to-day. It was positive to see him out there.”

Lea then turned his attention to a pair of players who came away from last week’s game banged up in safeties De’Rickey Wright and Savion Riley. Wright left Week 1’s contest against Alabama A&M in the first quarter and did not return, though he was back in Week 2 as he tied for a team-high 10 tackles.

Riley was right behind in with nine tackles in the 36-20 loss to Wake Forest. Lea revealed that he expects Wright to play against the Rebels, though he wasn’t quite as sure on Riley.

“De’Rickey made it out of the game OK,” the coach said. “What a tough kid and a warrior for our program. He was able to be out there today with us. I expect for him to be available on Saturday. Savion Riley’s dealing with an upper body injury. He’s day-to-day.”

Lastly, Lea spoke on how close defensive lineman Christian James is to making his season debut. He recorded 32 tackles (7.5 for loss) and three sacks in 2022, but has yet to play this year.

He has made progress of late and now has a timetable of 1-2 weeks before he is ready to practice in full. That could mean a return for the start of SEC play in Week 4 against Kentucky, though Lea added he doesn’t want to “guarantee” anything.

“Christian James, he’s getting back into football activity,” Lea said. “He traveled with us to Wake. We were hopeful to get him back as we get going in SEC play. I want to leave that open. Also don’t wanna guarantee it.

“We need to see how he does this week, but we are getting closer there. Without any setbacks, hopefully he’ll be back with us in the next week or two full-go.”

Vanderbilt kicks off against UNLV at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday in Nashville.