Vanderbilt edge Capers stretchered off vs. Cats

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Vanderbilt edge rusher Miles Capers was placed on a flat board and taken off the field on a stretcher after being injured while attempting to make a tackle midway through the second quarter Saturday night against Kentucky.

Capers was caught under a moving pile of players tackling Wildcats running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye and lay on the turf for a moment after the play. Vanderbilt medical personnel immediately rushed to his assistance as Kroger Field fell silent, and players from both teams knelt and prayed as a wooden board was brought over. A stretcher was brought over soon after.

Capers was stabilized and gently placed on the stretcher before being wheeled off the field. A Vanderbilt football spokesman said the player was transported to a hospital for imaging as a precaution but did not know his immediate condition or which hospital he was taken to.

Commodores players surrounded Capers in a show of support for the senior, who was named Southeastern Conference defensive lineman of the week on Monday for his performance in last week’s historic 40-35 upset of top-ranked Alabama. Capers had a strip sack and forced fumble that led to a touchdown in the victory and is fourth on the team with 22 stops and tied for the team lead with 4.5 tackles for loss.