SEC Week 5 Injury Report: Updates on Quinn Ewers, Mykel Williams, Maxwell Hairston and more
As the SEC approached Week 5, the league's mandated injury reports have been filed and should provide some clarity. While some players are still hanging around as questionable or doubtful, others are acknowledged as out.
Here's a rundown of some of the SEC's most significant potential absences from Week 5 – and a look at their statuses.
SEC Week 5 Injury Report
#1. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky CB (Out)
One significant loss for Kentucky in their battle with Ole Miss is CB Hairston, probably the team's best cover corner. On the season, Hairston has eight tackles, a forced fumble and an interception that he turned into a pick-six. That was Hairston's third career interception return for a touchdown. Now, Kentucky will play one of the SEC's top passing offenses without him.
#2. Jaylon Braxton, Arkansas CB (Out)
Similarly, Arkansas will be down cornerback Jaylon Braxton, who was injured in the Hogs' Week 2 game and hasn't returned since. Braxton was supposedly on the way to mending up, but now has been ruled out from Saturday's game against Texas A&M. He has broken up two passes in his abbreviated season to date.
#3. Conner Weigman, Texas A&M QB (Questionable)
Weigman started A&M's first two games of 2024 but has been since sidelined by an AC joint injury to his throwing shoulder. Freshman Marcel Reed has started the last two games and has generally performed better than Weigman, who had completed just 52.3% of his passes for two touchdowns and two interceptions before his injury. He's being termed a game-time decision this week.
#4. Deion Burks, Oklahoma WR (Out)
Oklahoma will be without its top receiving target against Auburn. Burks, a junior transfer from Purdue, has 26 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns on the young season. Burks sustained what is being termed a soft-tissue injury in Oklahoma's loss to Tennessee and will be out for the Auburn battle this week. He's one of five Oklahoma wide receivers listed as out.
#5. Champ Anthony, Auburn CB (Out)
Meanwhile, Auburn will be without cornerback Champ Anthony, who has been a mainstay this season. The 5-foot-11 Anthony has 12 tackles and three passes broken up so far in 2024. Anthony was injured in the Arkansas game and reportedly underwent surgery this week, so he's likely out for a long while.
#6. Blake Shapen, Mississippi State QB (Out)
Likewise, Shapen, who was the starting QB for Mississippi State, suffered a season-ending injury last week. Before his injury, Shapen passed for 974 yards with eight touchdowns against a single interception. But a shoulder injury now passes the starting QB torch to freshman Michael Van Buren, Jr. against Texas.
#7. Quinn Ewers, Texas QB (Questionable)
Meanwhile, Texas could also be down to its backup as Quinn Ewers continues to heal up. Ewers sustained an abdominal strain injury in the UTSA game. He sat last game, letting backup Arch Manning handle things against ULM. This week, Ewers is still questionable heading into Saturday's game with Mississippi State. For the year, he has 691 passing yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions.
#8. Mykel Williams, Georgia DL (Questionable)
An outstanding junior defensive lineman, the 6-foot-5 Williams was injured in Georgia's opening game against Clemson. He hasn't played since and finds himself listed as questionable this week. A season ago, Williams had 18 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss and his size and experience could help combat a tough Alabama offense – if he's available.
Which SEC injury do you think could hurt their team the most in Week 5? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.