Report: SEC moving toward adding mandatory injury reports in football

The SEC is considering requiring mandatory injury reports in the 2024 campaign, per CBS Sports’ Alex Scarborough and John Talty. On Tuesday, the pair provided further details on the matter.

“A mandatory injury report hasn’t been officially approved, but multiple sources indicated the details are close to being finalized and are expected to be in place at the start of the 2024 season,” they wrote. “A decision could come as early as next week when league athletic directors are scheduled to meet.

“The Big Ten became the first Power Five conference to institute a game day availability report during the 2023 season — a move designed to protect the integrity of the game with respect to gambling. The league’s weekly report had two categories for injured players: questionable or out. Some SEC schools, like LSU and Florida, released weekly injury reports last season, but the majority opted against the practice.”

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey discussed the proposition of mandatory injury reports in July at the SEC Media Days. However, he stated no decision would be made that week. Now, it appears the prestigious conference is coming closer to a decision.

“I did acknowledge it’s a cultural change for us but things are changing around us,” Sankey said. “This is intended to be the beginning of a discussion and not a decision. That’s how I framed it.

“When you start to see the number of dollars being bet on legalized sports gambling around college sports, not just football, but men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and baseball and softball, all those catch your attention,” Sankey said. “We have to be thoughtful about how information is managed.”

How do SEC coaches feel about the change?

While Sankey may be the figurehead of the SEC, his opinion isn’t the only one that matters. Nonetheless, head coaches around the league appear to share a similar sentiment.

“If it helps with gambling then I’m all for it,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “If it’s geared to getting knowledge out there that people are trying to get from our student-athletes and it protects them, I’m certainly for that.”

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman echoed Smart’s comments.

“Personally, it wouldn’t be bother me if they want to know exactly what our injury report was,” Pittman said. “You’re going to find it out before the game anyway, if you’re at the game. You’re gonna see who’s suited out and who’s not. Who’s limping and who isn’t. But, I understand that if it would help our players not get needled for information, I’d be all for it.”

The decision is not final yet but CBS Sports reports the decision could become official as early as next week when league athletic directors are scheduled to meet.