Monday’s football injury report

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Patrick Towles update

UK freshman quarterback Patrick Towles and not played since suffering an ankle injury in his first career game three weeks ago against Mississippi State. Head coach Joker Phillips announced in his press conference Monday that Towles is listed as “day-to-day” and has a shot at practicing with the team Tuesday. As of now, Phillips reported that Towles has done nothing more than simulate drop backs in the training room. If Towles is able to go Saturday when the Cats travel to take on Missouri, Phillips said the freshman will play. Should Towles be available, the offense will likely revert back to the two-quarterback system it used against Mississippi State, with Towles and current starter Jalen Whilow splitting time under center.

Phillips also noted that no redshirts will be removed for the remainder of the season. The Cats have played 14 true freshmen so far this season, but will not remove redshirts to play any more this late in the season, no matter the team’s injury situation. Should Towles be able to play again this season, Phillips said he will. But should his ankle injury sideline him for the remainder of the season, Phillips will likely request a medical exemption for both he and sophomore quarterback Maxwell Smith, so as to preserve the year of eligibility they missed due to injuries.

Other injuries

Senior safeties Mikie Benton and Martavius Neloms, redshirt freshman guard Zach West and senior cornerback Cartier Rice are also listed as day-to-day on UK’s injury report. Phillips said Benton will try and participate in practice on Tuesday while West, Neloms and Rice will try and go on Wednesday.

Whitlow also sat out the third quarter of UK’s homecoming showdown with Georgia a week ago due to migraine headaches. Whitlow reportedly has a history of migraines dating back to his high school career, but this was the first such incident since his arrival in Lexington. Phillips said the training staff is confident that it can take preventative measures to assure this issue to arise again in the future.