Vanderbilt edge rusher Capers was hospitalized for an injury against Kentucky but is returning to the sideline

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Vanderbilt edge rusher Miles Capers was taken to the hospital for imaging after he was injured during a second-quarter tackle against Kentucky on Saturday night, but returned to the sideline in the second half to return watching the Commodores game. 20-13 Southeastern Conference win.

Capers got caught in a moving crowd of players attacking Wildcats running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye and lay on the turf for a moment after the play. Vanderbilt medical staff immediately rushed to his aid as Kroger Field fell silent and players from both teams knelt and prayed as a plank of wood was brought over. Soon a stretcher was brought over.

Capers was stabilized and carefully placed on the stretcher before being rolled off the field. A Vanderbilt football spokesman said the player was taken to a hospital for imaging as a precaution, but Capers was back on the sideline in the third quarter, dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie.

Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea pointed out after the game that Capers had injured his neck and thanked his medical staff for handling it carefully. The coach also thanked his Kentucky counterpart Mark Stoops and his staff for keeping him and Capers under control.

As for Capers, Lea added, “I don't know if it has any lasting impact, but he had a smile on his face.”

It looked scary when it happened, however, and Commodores players surrounded the Capers to show their support for the senior, who was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week on Monday for his performance in last week's historic game 40:35 surprise against top-ranked Alabama. Capers had a strip sack and a forced fumble that led to a touchdown in the win and is fourth on the team with 22 stops and is tied for the lead with 4.5 tackles for loss.

He had three tackles (one solo) in Vandy's second straight SEC win.

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