Gator Injuries Pile Up After Win Over Aggies

The Gator football team got a big win Saturday over new SEC addition Texas A&M but it came at a price.

Despite the temperatures the Gators regularly endure in Gainesville, the dry Texas heat left numerous players cramping up and there were some major injuries in the game as well.  Arguably the highest profile injury was suffered by outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins, who underwent surgery Monday to repair a fractured thumb and he will be out up to a month, though Florida head coach Will Muschamp declined to pinpoint a return date.

Senior running back Mike Gillislee pulled up limping following his go ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, but said he “should be fine” following his groin injury. Meanwhile, the secondary took a few hits, including cornerback Cody Riggs, who sustained a fracture to his foot and could miss around a month.   Safety Josh Evans sustained a shoulder injury following a collision with an A&M running back but he should return this week.   Players that cramped up or suffered minor injuries during the game like Chaz Green, Neiron Ball and Shariff Floyd are all expected to suit up for Saturday’s game.

But perhaps the biggest injury news for the Gators this weekend wasn’t a player on the field.  Junior linebacker Ronald Powell, who tore his ACL in the spring and had surgery April 23rd, had been hoping to get back on the field for the Gators this year, but had recently experienced swelling to his knee. Muschamp said Powell will be re-evaluated by team doctors sometime next week.

Muschamp added that though it’s too early to tell, he does expect Powell to officially redshirt, thereby ending his 2012 season.

The 18th ranked Florida Gators travel to Knoxville to take on number 23 Tennessee Volunteers this weekend, with kickoff set for 6:00pm.  By the way, the time has been set for Florida’s next home game against Kentucky; it will have a 12:21pm kickoff.