The Florida Gators may have to continue shuffling their offensive line around this week when they travel to Tallahassee.
Sophomore left guard Martez Ivey was listed as “doubtful” by Jim McElwain on Wednesday afternoon due to a leg injury.
“The one’s that most concerning right now would be Martez Ivey, who hasn’t been able to go for two days,” McElwain said. “He’s going to try to get out there today. But I’d probably say doubtful right now, just knowing what it is.”
Ivey has started every game for the Gators at left guard this season. He earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors for his play against Georgia. Two weeks later, after having to slide over to left guard due to an injury to starting left tackle David Sharpe, Ivey won his second SEC Offensive Lineman of the Year Award for his play at left tackle against South Carolina.
McElwain’s policy is that players must practice on Wednesday if they are going to play in the game on Saturday. Due to campus being closed for the Thanksgiving holiday the team had yet to practice Wednesday when McElwain met with the media. McElwain wouldn’t close the door on Ivey, as the sophomore tries to get back to the field in time to play a crucial rivalry game this weekend.
“You know, I said that about Jarrad Davis going into the Georgia game and I’m still shocked about that,” McElwain recalled of Davis returning from a sprained ankle to play against Georgia in October. “Tez is one of those guys I know that will do everything he can to be there.”
If Ivey cannot go the Gators will turn to Kavaris Harkless at the left guard spot. Harkless filled in there against South Carolina after Ivey moved from guard to tackle to make up for the loss of Sharpe in the first quarter. Additionally, Tyler Jordan will be back this week, giving the Gators flexibility up front.
“Kavaris Harkless obviously, who’s been playing, will jump in there at left,” McElwain said. “Tyler Jordan being able to kind of swing to all three of the inside spots is something that we’ve been practicing just to kind of see where that is.”