Kentucky running back CJ Baxter suffered a shoulder sprain during their game against Vandy in week eight. He did not play the game before that either due to an injury, but now, it sounds like he’s on track to return for a very pivotal game at Tennessee.

“He’s not the only one across college football, even on our team that has shoulder pain. I think everybody at this point of the year probably does, and he’s going to be ready to rock and roll,” Stein said of Baxter moving forward. “Thought he had a really good last week, had a good day today. So looking forward to him competing.”

With a past like Baxter has had with injuries, you’ve got to be very careful with his rehab and how fast you rush him back to the field. Stein talked about the job that the training staff has done with him.

“I do think that our trainers, our strength and conditioning, our sports science have done a really great job with CJ, and almost like that load management throughout the week, to where, ‘What does he actually need to do?’”

Heading into an important four-game stretch to end the regular season, Stein says it’s not just Baxter who is on the right track with his health. The bye week was much-needed for a lot of guys. Will says that heading into next week, he’s expecting his team to be close to full strength.

“I think it came at the perfect time. I’m not sure everybody on our roster would have been able to play this Saturday if we would have. I think guys would have been for sure questionable, but I feel really good heading into this next week that we’re going to be about full strength.”

This is great news as Kentucky is getting healthy at a very important time of the season. Having CJ will help them perform tremendously against a top-tier Volunteer defense.

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