Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) is tackled by Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (2) and Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Alex Afari Jr. (3) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Florida (3-5, 2-3) and Kentucky (3-5, 1-5) are set to meet in a matchup this Saturday that will have different implications for both sides. But both teams need a win in a big way, and so the injury report certainly looms large.

For Kentucky, coach Mark Stoops is trying to stay as well off the hot seat as he can. A loss would certainly set things back. Florida, on the other hand, is already playing with an interim coach (Billy Gonzales) after firing Billy Napier earlier this season. The Gators don’t appear to have quit on the season however, as they are still scrapping for a potential bowl berth the rest of the way.

Friday’s availability report released by the SEC gives us a better idea what to expect from both squads. So let’s dig into it below.

Florida Gators (3-5, 2-3)

• DL Caleb Banks – OUT
• DB Micheal Caraway Jr. – OUT
• DB Aaron Gates – OUT
• ILB Grayson Howard – OUT
• RB Ja’Kobi Jackson – OUT
• ILB Ty Jackson – OUT
• DB Dijon Johnson – OUT
• EDGE LJ McCray – OUT
• WR Taylor Spierto – OUT
• DB Javion Toombs – OUT
• RB Treyaun Webb – OUT
• WR Dallas Wilson – OUT
• WR Eugene Wilson III – OUT

Kentucky Wildcats (3-5, 1-5)

• TE Elijah Brown – OUT
• DL Tavion Gadson – OUT
• DB Terhyon Nichols – OUT
• OL Aba Selm – OUT
• ILB Devin Smith – OUT
• DB Jaden Smith – OUT
• WR Troy Stellato – OUT
• DB DJ Waller Jr. – PROBABLE
• WR David Washington Jr. – OUT
• RB Jamarion Wilcox – OUT

The big injuries to note for Florida are the absences of receivers Eugene “Tre” Wilsonand Dallas Wilson this weekend. Dallas Wilson had been one of the team’s most consistent threats in the passing game all year, but he left last weekend’s contest against Georgia just before halftime with a foot injury. It turns out Wilson will be out for the season for Florida. That takes away a big potential playmaker, and the Gators are already thin at receiver, as evidenced by Thursday’s injury report.

Eugene Wilson, who will also miss Saturday’s game, hauled in nine catches for 121 yards and a score in the loss to Georgia. Quarterback DJ Lagway will be down a plethora of weapons this weekend in Lexington.

The Gators have been hammered by injuries all year. Florida had 10 players listed as out for last weekend’s contest against Georgia and have 13 players listed as out this weekend. Kentucky really has not fared much better. The Wildcats had 12 players listed as out for the game against Auburn last weekend. Somehow, the team still found a way to win.

That’ll be the task for Stoops and company yet again against Florida, even as the injuries continue to pile up. The Wildcats had five skill position players on offense out for the game against the Tigers last week.

Although Florida won every single game in the rivalry from 1987-2017, Kentucky has won four of the past seven meetings.