Kentucky QB Smith has separated throwing shoulder

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky quarterback Maxwell Smith expects to play with a separated shoulder Saturday night against No. 6 South Carolina.

The sophomore missed Saturday’s 38-0 rout at No. 11 Florida with what was described as a bruised right shoulder. Smith was injured during a 32-31 loss to Western Kentucky on Sept. 15.

He threw on Tuesday and practiced handoffs on Wednesday, switching the practice schedule coach Joker Phillips had announced Monday.

Smith told reporters about the shoulder separation after Wednesday’s practice and says he’s still in pain.

The quarterback says the shoulder is “doing pretty good.” Smith says he was going to practice just Wednesday, but decided to throw Tuesday and Thursday.

He hopes to “be ready to go Saturday” when Kentucky (1-3, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) plays at South Carolina (4-0, 1-0).