Vanderbilt football starting tight end Cole Spence is questionable to play in the season opener against Austin Peay with an undisclosed injury, coach Clark Lea said Sept. 3.
This was an injury that popped up during game week, and the coaching staff is hopeful that it is not long term. Spence was listed on the initial depth chart distributed Sept. 1.
"This was something that came up this week, and we're just interested to see how he responds," Lea said. "It's a situation where I don't want him to push. I've got hope for the short term, but it's not something that we're going to take a lot of risks with."
The Commodores' season opener against the Governors will be at FirstBank Stadium on Sept. 5 (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network+).
Spence dealt with some injuries
earlier in his Vanderbilt career, including a torn ACL that cost him the 2023 season, but he was healthy in 2024 and 2025. In 2025, he recorded 15 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns and was expected to take on a larger receiving role in 2026 with the departure of Eli Stowers to the NFL.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cole Spence injury update, Vanderbilt football tight end questionable for opener
