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Welcome back to the Tigers Football Insider, where we bring you the latest news and analysis from The Daily Memphian’s Frank Bonner II, Geoff Calkins and John Martin each week.
Freshman kicker David Kemp has been dealing with an injury that has left him sidelined for the first four games of the season.
Kemp was the projected starting placekicker before getting hurt and the Tigers have used punter Joe Doyle to kick field goals in his place.
Doyle was successful on 18-of-19 extra points and 6-of-8 field goals, including the 51-yarder against Mississippi State. Memphis fans have been wondering how long Kemp is expected to be out, and coach Ryan Silverfield said he struggles to answer injury questions about kickers.
When Kemp first appeared in pregame warmups against Arkansas State, it suggested that he was close to being fully recovered from his injury. However, Silverfield does not have a timetable on his return.
 Freshman kicker David Kemp has been dealing with an injury that has left him sidelined for the first four games of the season. (Submitted)
Doyle has been a solid kicker for the Tigers through four games, but he was brought here to be a punter. Silverfield said knowing he has a punter at kicker sometimes plays into his decision-making on offense.
“Sometimes we’re aggressive on third and fourth downs when we need to be,” Silverfield said. “But does that play in the back of my mind? Absolutely. I think, like every team in the country, you’d love to have a reliable kicker you can rely on all the time. Joe’s been pretty darn reliable but sometimes that does sit in the back of my mind, especially when we sit on the other side of the 50.”
Memphis has converted on four of its seven fourth-down attempts and it’s preparing for a Temple team that has allowed opponents to convert on 82% of fourth downs. The Tigers have gambled on at least one fourth down in three out of the previous four games. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Memphis take a couple of gambles at Temple.
Other players dealing with injuries ahead of the first conference game are linebacker Thomas Pickens, offensive linemen Austin Myers and Isaac Ellis. Silverfield said on Monday that Myers was getting evaluated that day. Pickens and Ellis are day-to-day situations. Ellis didn’t return after leaving the game against UTSA.
Running back Kylan Watkins still hasn’t seen the field with his injury either and Silverfield said they are still trying to determine quarterback Grant Gunnell’s timeframe for a return.
More from your Insider:
The Tigers coach still has confidence in key freshmen, even after costly fumbles against UTSA.
UTSA, with a top-10 defense in the nation, clamped down on Memphis in the second half.
The University of Memphis endured a rough day against UTSA, but they start with a clean slate in the AAC next week.
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