Tennessee’s Kentucky report lists seven players out

Tennessee added no new names to its first SEC availability report for Saturday’s home game against Kentucky, according to the report released Wednesday night. The seven listed players have sustained season-ending injuries.

Offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr., wide receiver Joakim Dodson, tight end Ethan Davis, safety Dylan Lewis, safety Edrees Farooq, linebacker Jaedon Harmon and cornerback Jadais Richard are out. Moe sustained a lower-body injury against Texas, while Dodson, Davis and Lewis were injured earlier in the season. Farooq, Harmon and Richard were unavailable before the season began.

No. 13 Tennessee enters the matchup at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, compared with Kentucky’s 7-1 overall record and 5-1 conference mark. The game will kick off at 6:15 p.m. Eastern on ESPN as Tennessee holds its annual Dark Mode game at Neyland Stadium.

Both teams had open dates last week. Tennessee last played Oct. 24, losing 27-24 at South Carolina, while Kentucky overcame an early 10-0 deficit to beat Vanderbilt 34-17 in Lexington.

The Vols had played eight consecutive games before the open date. Coach Josh Heupel said Monday that Tennessee practiced well during the break. The players returned refreshed, he said, but must maintain that approach throughout Kentucky week.

After facing Kentucky, Tennessee will play at Texas A&M on Nov. 14, host LSU on Nov. 21 and finish the regular season at Vanderbilt on Nov. 28.

Why it matters

Tennessee’s initial report added no new absences after its open date. The Vols still will face Kentucky without seven players who are out for the season. Kentucky enters Neyland Stadium with a 5-1 SEC record, compared with Tennessee’s 3-2 conference mark.

What to watch next

The availability report will be updated Thursday and Friday nights. The final pregame report will be released 90 minutes before Saturday’s 6:15 p.m. Eastern kickoff.