UPDATE: This story was updated at 11:15 p.m. CDT to include information from head coach Clark Lea’s press conference after Vanderbilt beat Kentucky.
UPDATE: This story was updated at 9:30 p.m. CDT to include information from SEC Network.
Vanderbilt defensive lineman Miles Capers has exited the game after sustaining a hit to his head. The hit came on a second-quarter drive from Kentucky, as Capers and Bryce Cowan combined for a tackle of running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye before colliding heads.
The contact left Capers on the ground for more than five minutes as members of the medical teams from both Vanderbilt and Kentucky tended to him. Medical officials then made their way over to Capers and head coach Clark Lea, who was among the first people to arrive at Capers’ side. Capers was then loaded onto a stretcher and carried off the field as fans at Kroger Field applauded him and players from both sides knelt in solidarity.
Vanderbilt Football staff escorted Capers’ parents from the stands to be with him on the field.
Capers was later transitioned from his stretcher into an ambulance, which drove down the road to University of Kentucky’s hospital.
SEC Network later reported that Capers was “stable” and receiving imaging as a precaution.
At 9:30 p.m. CDT Capers was back on the sidelines of the game against Kentucky. SEC Network reported he would not be rejoining the game, but he is stable.
Lea updated the media postgame on Capers’ condition after Vanderbilt beat Kentucky.
“Miles is doing well, he joined us for the end of the game,” Lea said. “I want to credit our medical team, any time you’re dealing with a neck injury, you want to take every precaution. I want to also thank Kentucky’s medical team who was there to assist, and I also want to thank Coach [Mark] Stoops. I’m happy to report that Miles is doing well. I don’t know if there will be lingering effects, but he’s doing just fine [and] he’s got a smile on his face.”
Capers hasn’t practiced since the injury, but he remains day-to-day and has a chance to play against Ball State on Saturday.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
