Jarrad Davis will give it a go against Alabama, other Gators injury news

The Florida Gators injury list continues to grow but the Gators may be getting star linebacker Jarrad Davis back this week. The senior linebacker has missed the last three games battling two ankle injuries but was able to return to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday.

“Jarrad Davis took some reps today and just I can’t tell you how much it speaks for him and how much this means to him and it’s great to see,” McElwain said Wednesday

Davis initially hurt his ankle against Missouri but returned after Florida’s bye week to play against Georgia. Davis injured his other ankle the following week on the road against Arkansas and hasn’t played since. He did, however, come out with the rest of the team before the Florida State game and participate in initial warmups and linebacker drills.

“We’ll see how many plays (he can go),” McElwain said. “What we’ve kind of talked about and the guys kind of knew it too is no matter what your future lies and whatever that is, if you can give the team one play, whatever that play might be, that’s what it’s all about.”

McElwain called Davis the “heart and soul” of the team and said having Davis back at practice Wednesday provided a lift. Additionally McElwain gave a hopeful prognosis for starting left guard Martez Ivey. Ivey left the field last week after the Florida State game but will give it a go this week in the SEC Championship.

The rest of the injury report, which has turned into quite the lengthy procedure every Monday and Wednesday, wasn’t as hopeful. Nickelback Duke Dawson (ankle) didn’t look good during Wednesday’s practice, according to McElwain. “I would say highly doubtful there.”

Starting tight end C’yontai Lewis was added to the injury report with an ankle injury and is “iffy” for Saturday.

Right guard Fred Johnson has an accident on his scooter at some point between talking with reporters immediately following Florida’s practice Tuesday and McElwain’s press conference on Wednesday.

“I’d love to say (he) got hurt in battle, but had a scooter incident,” McElwain reported. “Which that’s a big body falling off a scooter so we’ll see where that goes.”

Senior linebacker Daniel McMillian is battling an arm injury. McElwain would not count McMillian out but acknowledged that the linebacker had to come a long way if he is to play this week.

McElwain believes that senior defensive lineman Bryan Cox Jr. (leg) is “probably out” this week as well as safety Nick Washington (ankle). Mark Herndon (hamstring) will be out this week along with Cam Dillard (knee) and Jordan Sherit (knee).

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