Jalen Geiger suffers "significant" knee injury in win at Florida

Kentucky will likely be down a key contributor in the secondary for an extended period of time. Leveled on an illegal blindside block, junior defensive back Jalen Geiger suffered a “significant” leg injury in the Wildcats’ win at Florida.

The Columbia, SC native had his leg stabilized with a brace and was carted off the field following the hit in the second quarter. Early returns are not positive.

“It doesn’t look good,” Mark Stoops said during his postgame press conference. “I really feel for Jalen. He’s a heck of a young man and has been playing really good football.”

Prior to the injury, Geiger picked up three tackles, including one solo. He also had four tackles (two solo) in the team’s win over Miami (OH) last week.

Now, his time on the field may be over for the season.

“I think it’s significant,” Stoops told Tom Leach during his postgame radio interview. “I really feel for the young man because he’s been nothing but terrific and fun to coach and really helping us.”

In his absence, redshirt freshman Jordan Lovett racked up seven total tackles, including two solo. It was a strong performance, especially being thrown into the fire in an expanded role on such short notice. Stoops had been impressed with the Radcliff, KY native, and now, he’s stepping up when it matters most.

Exactly what the program needed out of the former North Hardin (KY) standout.

“We have a lot of confidence in Jordan. He just needs the experience,” Stoops said. “He’s a very talented young men and that’s nice when you start having that kind of talent that you can plug somebody in. Jordan has big upside.”

Geiger has racked up 29 total tackles over the course of his four-year career to go with two pass break-ups and one interception. As for Lovett, he played in just one game as a true freshman in 2021 and recorded two assisted tackles in Kentucky’s season-opener.

Now, the 6-foot-2, 202-pound defensive back will have to continue to step up with Geiger out.