Junior defensive tackle Ventrell Jenkins will have shoulder surgery and could miss part or all of the 2007 season, Coach Rich Brooks said following Friday?s practice.
Brooks said that Jenkins has had a shoulder problem and tests revealed a cartilage issue that will need to be repaired. Because of the nature of the injury, the length of rehabilitation time is uncertain. Brooks noted that Jenkins has a redshirt year available if he has to miss the season.
Jenkins began spring practice on the second team at defensive tackle. He played in 12 games last season, including one starting assignment. He totaled 19 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, with one quarterback sack.
Kentucky had a two-hour, 15-minute practice Friday morning at the Nutter Training Facility. The Wildcats are slated to practice Saturday at 10 a.m. in Commonwealth Stadium, with a scrimmage to begin at approximately 10:20.
Grigsby Making a Comeback at Cornerback: One of the pleasant developments of spring practice has been the progress made by junior cornerback Ahmad Grigsby, who has returned to action after missing the 2006 season because of a wrist injury.
Grigsby came to UK last summer as a transfer from El Camino College. He made an immediate impression at the beginning of fall drills and was considered a candidate for a starting job when he sustained the injury. Fortunately, he had a redshirt year available and has two seasons of eligibility remaining. He has played well this spring and is back in contention for playing time.
?Confidence and consistency are my two main goals for the spring, being aggressive to the ball and being confident out there,? Grigsby said. ?It was a long off-season, but I got my rehab in and now I?m able to do everything in practice.?
?The first thing Ahmad did was work extremely hard in the off-season,? defensive coordinator Steve Brown said. ?He has improved his speed and quickness. He really wants to be a good player and pays attention to detail. He?s making plays and has a great attitude.?
Grigsby is enjoying playing under Brown, his position coach last season, and new defensive backs coach David Lockwood, who came on board when Brown was promoted to defensive coordinator.
?What I like about both of them is that they will sit down with you and give you words of wisdom. They?ve both been there and know what it?s like,? Grigsby said of Brown, who played eight years in the National Football League, and Lockwood, a three-year starter during his playing days at West Virginia.
Rich Brooks Radio Show Slated for Monday: Coach Rich Brooks will discuss the progress of spring practice and the upcoming Blue/White Game during his radio show, which will be held Monday from 6-7 p.m. The show can be heard on the Big Blue Sports Network, including WLAP (630 on the AM dial) in Lexington and WHAS (840 AM) in Louisville.
Spring Football Calendar: Practices are open to the media and public and are held at Nutter Training Facility unless noted otherwise. Practices may be moved indoors to the Nutter Field House in case of bad weather.
Sat. Apr. 14 – 10 to 11:40 a.m., including scrimmage beginning at 10:20, Commonwealth Stadium
Mon. Apr. 16 – 9 to 11:15 a.m. (confirmed)
Mon. Apr. 16 – Rich Brooks Radio Show, 6 to 7 p.m. on the Big Blue Sports Network
Wed. Apr. 18 – 9 to 11:20 a.m. (tentative)
Fri. Apr. 20 – 9 to 11:20 a.m. (tentative)
Sat. Apr. 21 – Blue/White Spring Game, 1 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium
