Maxwell Hairston injury update: Kentucky DB's status vs. Florida revealed on Wednesday report

Florida and Kentucky are set to square off in a pivotal SEC contest that will set the tone for the second half of the season. And the injury report looms large.

The Gators will be without starting quarterback Graham Mertz, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the team’s loss at Tennessee over the weekend. So Florida will be relying instead on freshman DJ Lagway, who has been playing throughout the season in a limited capacity.

That should make for an interesting matchup as Wildcats coach Mark Stoops looks to draw up a gameplan to slow the dynamic prospect.

In any case, the other players on the injury report also bear mention. So without further ado, here’s the Wednesday injury report for both teams, as issued to the Southeastern Conference.

Florida:

Ja’Keem Jackson, DB — Out

TJ Abrams, WR — Out

Graham Mertz, QB — Out

RJ Moten, ILB — Out

KD Daniels, RB — Out

Kahleil Jackson, WR — Out

Devon Manuel, OL — Out

Tony Livingston, TE, Out

Marcus Burke, WR — Out

Jamari Lyons, DL — Out

Montrell Johnson Jr., RB — Questionable

Treyaun Webb, RB — Questionable

Bryce Thornton, DB — Questionable

Asa Turner, DB — Questionable

Rocco Underwood, LS — Questionable

Aubrin Barber, OL — Questionable

Kentucky:

Maxwell Hairston, DB — Out

Jayvant Brown, ILB — Out

Darrion Henry-Young, DL — Out

Tavion Gadson, DL — Out

Josaih Hayes, DL — Out

DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum, RB — Questionable

Terhyon Nichols, DB — Questionable

Jacob Kauwe, K — Questionable

Keeshawn Silver, DL — Probable

Going into the game, down Mertz, Florida will turn again to DJ Lagway. Lagway started one game earlier this season when Mertz was injured, playing against FCS Samford and putting up huge numbers.

He’s since been involved playing just about every third series for the Gators. On the year he is 47-of-72 passing (65.3%) for 765 yards, with five touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s also run for 50 yards on 24 carries.

The talented freshman will need others to step up around him.

On the other hand, Kentucky hasn’t had quite as many consequential injuries to worry about. Still, the Wildcats will be hoping to be a little closer to full health on the injury report come gametime.

Kentucky is coming off a close loss to Vanderbilt in which it scored just 13 points, so generating some more offense in the Swamp will be key. The Wildcats actually outgained the Commodores 322 to 288 but weren’t as successful protecting the ball.

Florida and Kentucky are slated for a 7:45 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday, with a broadcast set for the SEC Network.