UF-UK: Easley out, other injury updates

The Florida Gators football team will be without starting defensive end Dominique Easley for today’s game against Kentucky, which kicks off at 12:21 a.m.

Easley did not participate in pregame warm-ups and had has injured right knee wrapped. He was not on crutches as he had been for most of the past week in an effort to keep weight off of it and help it heal quicker. Sources told Gator Country on Thursday that Easley was doubtful to play after he was called “questionable” on Wednesday.

The exact injury has yet to be determined. It is not the same knee Easley injured against Florida State late last season. He had an ACL surgery and missed spring practices while recovering.

Earl Okine was announced as the starter in Easley’s place, but true freshmen Jonathan Bullard also should see significant work if he doesn’t end up starting instead.

**UPDATE** Bullard started the game, becoming the second true freshman to start for the Gators this season. **UPDATE**

Gators offensive tackle Chaz Green was dressed for pregame warm-ups, but clearly hobbled. He missed last week’s 37-20 win at Tennessee with an ankle injury.

Florida also is without linebacker Jelani Jenkins (thumb) and defensive back Cody Riggs (foot) for the second consecutive game. With a bye week coming up after the Kentucky game, both could be back in time to play against LSU at home on Oct. 6.

mikecapshaw
Mike Capshaw brings a wealth of experience to the Gator Country team. He’s been overseeing all editorial aspects of GatorCountry.com and Gator Country magazine by managing our team of staffers, interns and freelancers. He is now moving into a bigger role as a reporter by covering the football and basketball beats as well as providing coverage of all sports on campus. Mike’s 15 years in the business has included more than six years of covering SEC sports and recruiting at a daily newspaper in Arkansas. He has also helped launch a newspaper, magazines, websites and even a sports talk radio show. Because Mike puts family ahead of his career, he left the place where he was established when his wife received an opportunity to further her career at UF. He took a leap of faith that he could find a job in the Gainesville area and worked for a year at a newspaper group before joining the Gator Country family in November, 2011. Mike has won Florida Press Association awards for Best Sports Game Story and Best Sports Feature Story in the past two years as well as a company-wide award at his former newspaper group that includes some 60 publications, for Excellence in Sports Reporting. You can follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeCapshawGC.