:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58253467/sgrgdtg.0.jpg)
The Kentucky Wildcats are still without Jarred Vanderbilt, but there now appears to be a chance he plays this season.
The talented forward is still working his way back from a lower-leg injury suffered on the first day of fall practice. It was the latest such injury for a player who’s dealt with many foot and ankle issues throughout his high school career.
On Monday, head coach John Calipari revealed on his call-in show that Vanderbilt has now returned to practice.
Cal confirms Jarred Vanderbilt is back on the practice court ... and has been really good.
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 8, 2018
“Jarred changed the practice today. He was so physical. ... It will be nice to get him back.”
This is huge, especially if Vanderbilt is able to play soon. He’s been out all season thus far, so it’s unclear when he may actually return and play in games.
Some version of ‘we won’t rush him back’ has been what Calipari has said all along, and today was more of the same. Vanderbilt is almost certainly out for Tuesday’s clash with the Texas A&M Aggies, assuming this is the first full practice Vanderbilt has gotten in.
Perhaps Vanderbilt can return in the midst of what’s become a road-heavy slate for UK, which includes trips to Tennessee and South Carolina after Tuesday’s home clash with the Aggies.
As the days were rolling on with no news of Vanderbilt practicing, it was becoming more unlikely that he ever logs a single minute this season. Now that he’s practicing, UK may very well have him back in the coming weeks.
We asked you the fans about whether or not Vanderbilt would play this season, and the overwhelming majority says he will not. Thankfully, it now looks like the opposite will take place.
And be sure to go ‘like’ our Facebook page and follow our Twitter page to get all of the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views.