Florida's sluggish offense could receive a much-needed boost this week with the possible return of starting tailback Jeff Demps, who has been out with a painful sprained foot.
"Good news on Demps," UF coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday. "He's feeling a lot better than he did last week.
"Obviously, we need his big-play shot. I put him as probable for Saturday (against Mississippi State). He's going to do some practice (Wednesday) and then, he's telling me, he's going to practice (Thursday)."
Demps missed the LSU game this past week and saw very limited playing time in the previous two games against Alabama and Kentucky.
Demps is college football's fastest player — and the Gators' most explosive playmaker. With him out of the lineup, the offense has struggled to sustain drives and been all but void of big plays.
Meyer said there is also positive injury news on quarterback John Brantley and offensive guard Jon Halapio.
Brantley was limited in practice a week ago with injured ribs and a sprained thumb. Halapio started against LSU last Saturday, but left the game with compound fracture of a finger.
"Johnny feels good, much better than a week ago, and he's practicing at full speed," Meyer said. "Last week, we had to rest him at times. But he's full speed.
"And Jon Halapio, good news on him. He had surgery on his finger, but they are saying probable for play. He'll not have contact (Wednesday), but (Thursday) he'll be able to have a little bit of contact."
