Injuries showing up big for the Florida Gators

The No. 10 Florida Gators (10-1, 7-1 SEC) have avoided the injury bug for most of the season but it seems as if their luck may be running out, as they get ready to host the No. 14 Florida State Seminoles (9-2, 6-2 ACC).

On Monday Jim McElwain listed 11 players on the injury report. Redshirt junior defensive lineman Alex McCalister (foot) and redshirt sophomore Jordan Sherit (hamstring) were both listed as out.

Sophomore receiver Brandon Powell (foot), freshman offensive lineman Martez Ivey (shoulder), sophomore offensive tackle David Sharpe (foot), redshirt sophomore center Cam Dillard (leg) and junior defensive tackle Joey Ivie (leg) were all listed as questionable by Jim McElwain.

Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Taven Bryan (ankle) and senior defensive lineman Jon Bullard (knee) were listed as doubtful.

Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Caleb Brantley and senior linebacker Antonio Morrison were both listed as probable, despite showing up on the injury report. Sophomore cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (stomach illness) who missed most of the game last week should be ready to return this Saturday against FSU.

Seniors Jon Bullard and Antonio Morrison have started every game this season and lead the team with 23-consecutive starts.

With at least two defensive lineman and potentially five missing the game this Saturday, Florida will need to figure out a way to stop FSU running back Dalvin Cook, who has tallied 185 carries and 1,475 yards this season with 16 touchdowns.

“That’s where we’re at,” Said McElwain. “We will have enough guys run out of the tunnel to form a team in this ball game. I’m looking forward to the guys that are going to be given opportunities to perform and perform at a high level in a game that means so much to so many, and to some of us a little bit more.”

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC

3 COMMENTS

  1. How much of this is keeping info from F$U and being conservative calling guys doubtful/questionable, and how much is legit injury, probably not going to play? I’m not sure how anyone could expect us to win with McCalister, Sherit, Bullard, Bryan, Powell, Ivey, Ivie, Dillard, and Sharpe all out. I mean that’s our 2 best d-linemen, 3 best o-linemen, and major contributors in Powell, Sherit, Bryan ect.

    Basically, how worried should Gator Nation be at this point Nick?

  2. If all those guys are out…we’re hosed!If it is double reverse deceptive mojo-it’ll still be a challenge based on that last performance. I’m glad turkey day is couple days before the game…wouldn’t wanna get queasy on a fully stomach. Here’s to hoping some kids can fight through the injury bug and play. Go Gators. Beat FSU!