Towles on the mend

Kentucky freshman quarterback Patrick Towles is expected to return to practice this week after missing the last two games with a high ankle sprain.

Kentucky could have an extra option at quarterback this week for its trip to Missouri.

Freshman Patrick Towles has been cleared to practice this week and is now considered "day to day," UK coach Joker Phillips said during his weekly Monday press luncheon.

"If Towles can play, he'll play," Phillips said. "It will be the same situation that we did in the Mississippi State game. But, again, he hasn't taken a snap yet. We'll take a look and see tomorrow."

Towles, who was Kentucky's 2011 "Mr. Football" after throwing 42 touchdown passes and only one interception as a senior at Highlands, suffered a high ankle sprain in the Wildcats' Oct. 6 loss to Mississippi State. It was the first game he had appeared in due to a season-ending ankle injury to sophomore starter Maxwell Smith.

Towles completed five of six attempts and his first career touchdown pass against the Bulldogs before having his ankle rolled on a Mississippi State sack in the second quarter.

Freshman Jalen Whitlow and senior Morgan Newton split duty in Saturday's game against Georgia, but a healthy Towles would likely mean the two young quarterbacks move to the top of the depth chart for the Cats' game at Missouri.

For more notes from Phillips' press luncheon, CLICK HERE and join in the discussion on our football forum.