Florida Gators Mid-Week Injury Update Ahead Of Saturday's Showdown With No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide
The No. 11 Florida Gators are 15.5 point underdogs to the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, despite it being a home game for the Gators in the hostile Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. As such, they’re going to need every bit of talent and personnel to outwit and outmatch the mighty Tide.
Head Coach Dan Mullen met with local media twice this week, to provide injury updates ahead of the showdown.
"He's had a pretty good week of practice." - Mullen on Richardson
Anthony Richardson
During the Gators 42-20 win over USF on Saturday, quarterback Anthony Richardson took off for a mesmerizing 80-yard touchdown ran. Around the 50-yard line (according to Richardson on his social media accounts) he felt his hamstring starting to tighten up, but he kept up his speed and scored with ease. He didn’t return to the game, receiving an ice treatment on the sidelines, but walked off the field at the end of the game with nothing more than a slight limp.
On Monday, Mullen revealed the injury was a tightened hamstring, which is much more treatable than one that’s pulled. The latter can cause a player to be sidelined for a week or even more, with fear of making it worse.
On Wednesday, Mullen offered a further update, indicating Richardson’s progress, saying, “he's looked fine. He's still practiced every day. He's getting treatment, making sure that he's healthy, ready to go. But he's had a pretty good week of practice.”
If Richardson can play, he can help provide the spark that’s led to him being responsible for five touchdowns through two games, and currently sitting as the team’s leading rusher. Richardson splits time with redshirt junior starter, Emory Jones. Mullen says the key to the two working so well within the tandem is communication.
"It's pretty simple. They know the plan, very much like our running backs know the plan, our receivers know the plan, our D-line rotation, our linebacker rotation. They know the plan. They prepare to the plan. They kind of know what we have scheduled going into the game."
Ventrell Miller
Middle linebacker Ventrell Miller was only on the field for seven snaps in the win versus USF, before leaving the game with one tackle. According to multiple reports, Miller underwent surgery on Monday, although the exact reason was not known until Wednesday, when Allan Taylor of The Athletic reported it was to repair a torn bicep tendon. His exact return time is unknown, but the timeline for such an injury usually requires three to four months. That would place him returning for postseason play.
In his place, the Gators used a rotation of Jeremiah Moon, Mohamoud Diabate and Ty’Ron Hopper, along with Amari Burney who has played alongside Miller for the past two years. Moon was moved to inside linebacker this offseason, and Ty’Ron Hopper has come along quickly. Diabate, Hooper and Moon all finished in three of the top four in tackles versus USF.
Of course the hardest part of replacing Miller is his leadership and experience as the defensive play caller in the middle of the field. Miller has started 23 of the 25 games in which he’s appeared since 2019.
“Ventrell, he's a great guy and a great teammate, great leader, but I feel like we shouldn't have an issue picking up with that leadership role. Guys just have to, you know, they have to step up,” said outside linebacker Zach Carter.
Jean Delance
During Saturday’s game versus USF, right tackle Jean Delance was seen nursing a knee and needing some assistance to walk. However, Mullen didn’t seem incredibly concerned when addressing the injury this week.
“Jean was just a bruise. We expect him to be back out there today or tomorrow practicing,” admitted Mullen.
Delance has shown vast improvement this season, specifically in protection and blocking in the run game.
Elijiah Blades
The Texas A&M transfer has been an exciting possibility at corner. He recorded no defensive stats against the FAU Owls, but played sparingly in the season opening blowout. However he did not play at all versus USF, a decision Mullen said was made before the game out of precaution.
“Blades had a sore hamstring and just didn’t feel like he could go on it to play at the level he needed, wanted to play at,” Mullen explained.
Given Alabama’s speed on the edge, any and all help there will be needed on Saturday.
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