Injury Update: DeAndre Square Doubtful Against Missouri

DeAndre Square is the latest Kentucky starter that could miss significant time for the Wildcats.

The inside linebacker injured his right ankle at Tennessee. He exited the game in the second quarter and returned to the Neyland Stadium sideline with a walking boot and crutches. Most of the banged up Wildcats are considered day-to-day, but Mark Stoops does not believe Square will be ready to go this Saturday in CoMo.

“Everybody should be day-to-day, but with DeAndre (Square), it’s doubtful,” Stoops said. “You don’t know. Put some medicine in there, ice it up and maybe, but the chances are he’s not going to play. DeAndre’s a great leader, he’ll still have a great impact and Trevin (Wallace) will step up and play well.”

DeAndre Square had three tackles before he was sidelined, getting him to 300 in his career. This fall he is Kentucky’s leading tackler with 55, ranking 12th in the SEC. He also has 3.0 tackles for loss, a sack and a game-clinching interception against Mississippi State.

Square was second on the team in tackles until Jacquez Jones suffered an injury against Ole Miss. Now sidelined for a month, Jones does not appear to be ready to return anytime soon. D’Eryk Jackson and Trevin Wallace will be tasked to fill the big shoes of the veterans in the middle of the defense.

“We’ve always been high on him,” Stoops said of Wallace. “He’s athletic and has been getting reps for years. Ready to go, he’s had a really strong leader and a player he’s splitting time with in front of him, but he’s very physical and athletic. He’s getting more and more experience.”

Other Kentucky Injury Updates

Another significant piece to the Kentucky defense was sent to the sideline against Tennessee. Ty Ajian appeared to suffer a back injury near the end of the first quarter. He was on the depth chart and should be available for the Missouri game. Kavosiey Smoke was not on the depth chart after No. 0 did not appear in the Tennessee game. Chris Rodriguez got banged up, but he will be lumped in with Jeremy Flax and the rest of the players considered “day-to-day.”