SMU-Louisville Injury Report Creates Key Questions Before ACC Showdown
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No. 16 SMU and No. 23 Louisville will both be missing important players when they meet Saturday afternoon, but the Cardinals received some significant good news before kickoff.
Louisville running back Isaac Brown is available after appearing as probable earlier in the week, while fellow running back Keyjuan Brown no longer appears on the injury report. That's a major boost for an offense preparing to face an SMU defense allowing just 3.8 yards per rushing attempt.
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Louisville coach Jeff Brohm had been optimistic about Keyjuan Brown after he exited the Cardinals' win over Villanova.
“We're hopeful he'll be back for this Saturday's game,” Brohm said earlier this week. “I'm hopeful that that will happen and hopefully anticipate that happening.”
Louisville could also receive help up front. Offensive tackle Anwar O'Neal is probable, giving him a chance to make his season debut. Starting tackle Cason Henry was also listed as probable during the week.
The Cardinals aren't completely healthy, however.
Defensive tackle Demeco Kennedy has been dealing with an injury and entered the matchup as Louisville's most significant defensive question. Brohm indicated earlier in the week that Kennedy “probably will not be able to go.”
Louisville also listed tight end Travis Egan, wide receiver Payton Cook and several offensive linemen among its unavailable players.
SMU has its own depth problems.
The Mustangs listed safety Ahmaad Moses, linebackers Caden Marshall and Kenneth Goodwin III, cornerback Deuce Gilbert, running backs Christian Rhodes and Link Rhodes, and offensive lineman Abel Hoopii as out on the initial ACC availability report.
Running back EJ Kelly, safety Abdul Muhammad and defensive lineman Kevin Allen were listed as questionable.
Most importantly for SMU, quarterback Kevin Jennings isn't among the injured players.
Jennings enters Saturday with 767 passing yards through two games and leads an SMU offense averaging 566 yards per game. His ability to extend plays could become even more important if Louisville's defensive front isn't at full strength.
Brohm hasn't hidden how difficult that challenge could be.
“He's really good. I mean really good,” Brohm said of Jennings. “One of the best quarterbacks in the country.”
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Louisville's improving health at running back and offensive tackle eases some concerns, but both teams enter this ranked ACC matchup with enough missing pieces to make depth a major storyline.
With Jennings healthy and Louisville getting its top running backs back, the biggest injury impact could ultimately come from which defense handles its absences better.
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