FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Florida Gators survived most of the season without being hit too hard by the injury bug, but a war of attrition against the Razorbacks left Florida limping off the field.
Florida suffered nine injuries during a 31-10 loss to Arkansas on Saturday afternoon, sapping the team of energy as their teammates were helped off the field in a seemingly endless stream.
“It was just crazy, man,” junior offensive tackle David Sharpe said. “All those guys play so hard and just to see the injuries we had today was brutal.”
Florida had Cam Dillard (knee), Jarrad Davis (ankle), Alex Anzalone (arm), Chris Thompson all go down with injuries and not return to the game. Anzalone returned to the sideline in a sling. Dillard was walking around on crutches and Thompson returned in street clothes after their injuries.
“Dillard’s probably going to be out,” McElwain said. “Anzalone will probably be out, Chris Thompson will probably be out, Jarrad Davis will probably be out.”
Tyrie Cleveland was carted off the field with his left foot elevated and did not return to the game. Kylan Johnson, Fred Johnson and Caleb Brantley all left the game at various points but returned to action.
“The injuries just left and right. We were still waiting to get back in and play and you see somebody out of uniform walking around and you ask them what’s wrong and then you hear damn it’s a season-ending injury.”
McElwain didn’t specify if Davis, Anzalone, Thompson and Dillard would be lost for the season but all of the injuries appeared to be serious and the Gators will be hard-pressed to replace those three starters on both sides of the ball.
“I mean the amount of pain JD’s playing through right now is unreal. That’s a guy you want to fall on,” Luke Del Rio, who walked into his press conference with ice on his left knee and right shoulder, said. “Cam was in a lot of pain, as well, screaming, rolling. Breaks your heart. These are your friends, not just your teammates. These are you buddies. It’s sad to see.”