Florida’s biggest players should expect the least amount of breaks during UF’s spring scrimmage next weekend.
Guard Nick Alajajian suffered a torn meniscus Wednesday, and tackle Xavier Nixon has been limited by a sprained ankle — leaving the Gators with just seven functional offensive linemen. Nixon should be back either Saturday or early next week, but Alajajian is expected to miss three months.
With the position group so thin this spring, coach Will Muschamp said several linemen will play for both the orange and blue squads in the team’s intrasquad scrimmage April 9.
Fans should also expect to see plenty of Chris Rainey, as he is the team’s only scholarship running back still practicing. Mike Gillislee (stress fracture in his foot), Mack Brown (broken fibula) and Mike Blakely (arthroscopic shoulder surgery) are out, and senior Jeff Demps is running track.
Muschamp and the rest of the coaching staff met Friday morning to discuss how they would structure the Orange and Blue Debut.
“We need a good, functional day within teaching our schemes,” Muschamp said. “I don’t want to get a guy in a bad mismatch issue and you can’t get the ball off in some situations. That certainly can happen, as thin as we are.”
In addition to Alajajian and Nixon, offensive linemen Matt Pathchan (wrist), David Young (knee) and James Wilson (knee) have been limited this spring.
“Injuries are part of the game,” Muschamp said. “There’s nobody feeling sorry for the Gators now, I can tell you that. … You’ve got to have other guys step up. One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity.”
Other injuries: According to Muschamp, Brown successfully underwent surgery Wednesday. Sophomore receiver Andre Debose, who has sat out this week with a sprained ankle, should be back Saturday or early next week, Muschamp said.
