Vanderbilt faced the difficult challenge of replacing Ke’Shawn Vaughn in the lineup this season, as the former Commodore star is now carrying the football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While that challenge would be a daunting task for any college program, it seemed like an impossible task for Derek Mason’s Vanderbilt program heading into the 2020 season.

It’s going to take some time before Keyon Henry-Brooks and Ja’Veon Marlow are mentioned in the same reverence as a player of Vaughn’s stature, but the Commodore running backs have stood out as two of the brightest spots on Mason’s Vanderbilt roster this season.

Unfortunately, both players have had to deal with injuries this season.

Keyon Henry-Brooks suffered an undisclosed injury in the Kentucky game but it was bad enough that his pads were removed and he was carted off the field.

The good news is Henry-Brooks is well enough to return to the practice field, according to Mason.

On Tuesday, the Vanderbilt coach shared the latest update on the running back’s status.

“Keyon was out there at practice today but he didn’t get a chance practice today. We’ll take a look at him tomorrow,” Mason shared. “When I talked to him, he said ‘Coach, I’m feeling good’ and that’s what you want to hear. But it’s a Tuesday, and generally, on a Tuesday, it’s early-down prep. With that being said, tomorrow will be the telltale for us with Keyon and this game plan. I’ll keep you posted.”

Henry-Brooks has rushed for 374 yards this season and has registered back-to-back 100-yard games for Vanderbilt.

If he’s limited, Vanderbilt will likely turn to Ja’Veon Marlow, who has missed the last four games but is back and listed on the team’s depth chart for the Florida game.

In two games, Marlow has 148 rushing yards.

Here is what Mason had to say on Tuesday regarding Marlow’s return to the field.

“Ja’Veon, much like Keyon, those guys have the ability to play in the backfield, they have the ability to line up in the slot. We are going to utilize what Ja’Veon can do, he’s not a one-dimensional guy,” the Vanderbilt coach said. “Obviously, the last time you saw him, he was running really well. He’s looked well in practice.

“I would assume going into this game, he’s going to be everywhere. He’s going to line up in the backfield, you are going to see him everywhere.”