Florida Gators starting left tackle Martez Ivey suffered an ankle injury during the Gators’ practice last Saturday and did not practice with the team on Sunday or Monday. Ivey’s injury is not thought to be season ending or serious at this time, a UF spokesperson told Gator Country Ivey missed practice Monday because he was getting treatment.
After practice Jim McElwain updated Ivey’s status.
“We held out Ivey today, just had some swelling,” McElwain said. I will let you know if he’s out. But there’s a pretty good chance he’ll be playing tomorrow.”
Ivey had knee surgery before his freshman year that caused him to miss two games. He also played part of his freshman season with a tear in his shoulder that would require surgery after the season. Despite the injuries he was named to the SEC All-Coaches Freshman Team.
Ivey is the most veteran lineman the Gators have returning on a unit that has been hailed as the strength of the team. He has played in 25 games; including 20 starts and made the switch from left guard to left tackle after the departure of starting left tackle David Sharpe last offseason.
With Ivey missing practice on Monday the Gators starting offensive line shifted around. Sophomore right tackle Jawaan Taylor flipped over to left tackle and junior Tyler Jordan moved from guard/center to right tackle. Fred Johnson, who started his career at tackle before moving to guard in 2016, stayed at right guard with T.J. McCoy at center and redshirt freshman Brett Heggie at left guard.
“I think getting Telly (Kadeem Telfort) was something we wanted to do. Also now, working on the other side, getting Fred (Johnson) a little bit of guard and tackle. The one thing we’ve been able to do is with both (Antonio) Riles and (Kavaris) Harkless, is splitting those reps at guard,” McElwain said of the offensive line’s movement without Ivey. “I think that’s something that’s going to be good for us. It’s actually one of those things that allows you to work some of those young guys next to some of the older guys. And the communication piece has been pretty good.”