Justin Rigg hoping for medical redshirt
Freshman tight end Justin Rigg has turned heads ever since he's arrived at Kentucky, but a promising freshman year was derailed by an early-season injury.
Cats Illustrated has learned more about the situation and the plan going forward.
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Even though C.J. Conrad and Greg Hart were older and in front of him on the depth chart, Rigg saw action against Southern Miss and New Mexico State, in two of Kentucky's first three games during his true freshman season.
Against New Mexico State, Rigg went down with an injury and it was reported through official channels that his ribs were being treated.
Cats Illustrated learned from a source this week that Rigg suffered three lacerations to his kidney in that New Mexico State game. His timeline for recovery was six to eight weeks, so Rigg didn't play in any more games during the 2016 season.
Rigg saw a full recovery and practiced for the TaxSlayer Bowl with his teammates, though he didn't see action against Georgia Tech.
Fully recovered, Rigg is on track to be a factor in fight for playing time at tight end going into the 2017 season. C.J. Conrad and Greg Hart also return at the position for their junior and senior seasons respectively.
Because of the injury, the source said, Rigg is now hopeful that his application for a medical redshirt will be approved.