Brantley recovering but not back yet for Gators

By Adam Silverstein
October 18, 2011

Already sidelined two weeks with a high ankle sprain suffered against Alabama, Florida Gators redshirt senior quarterback John Brantley has shed the crutches but is still wearing a boot and is not expected to return to practice this week, head coach Will Muschamp said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

Florida is cautiously optimistic and hopeful that Brantley can return for their next game on Oct. 29 against the Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville, FL, but his status will be reevaluated next week after a few more days of treatment and rehabilitation. He will do some throwing exercising this week with the hope that he can return on Monday.

“Most of all, [it’s his] mobility,” Muschamp said. “As far as the straight ahead, he’d probably be OK. As far as the lateral movement, that’s where you get into an issue with the ankle, just being able to move laterally. We feel like right now treatment is the best option. As far as that treatment is concerned, there is some physical action but not a whole lot. He’s staying off it as much [as possible]. John’s been living in the training room for the last three weeks. He’s doing everything he can do to get back. So it’s been very frustrating for him. Hopefully, as we work through this week, he continues to get better.”

Asked if Brantley could play at less than 100 percent health, Muschamp indicated that decision is out of his hands.

“That’s not my call. That’s the trainers’ call and that’s John’s call,” he said. “If he feels confident playing and our trainers say he’s OK to play, then he’ll play, but I don’t get into those decisions. That’s something the medical staff needs to handle. I certainly never want to put a young man in a situation where he can’t be successful.”

Freshmen Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett will split repetitions at quarterback 50-50 this week and going forward until the Gators’ starter is able to return to the field.

“Whether or not – and I think it was Urban [Meyer] I heard say it – whether or not you say your quarterback is your leader, he is your leader,” Muschamp said. “Certainly John being a fifth-year senior, playing at a high level, was our leader offensively if not with our team. When you lose that, it’s tough.”

Photo Credit: Unknown

3 Comments

  1. g8ter27 says:

    Hey Adam,

    I noticed you didn’t have anyting to say about Watkins committing to Clemson on Friday (or at least I missed it). Of course, with all of the great news with the way we are playing I can see a reason not to pile it on. Any rumors of any fallout from him staying near home?

    • When it comes down to a decision and Florida is not chosen, I usually only write something up if they were really close to getting the player. From everything I had heard with my connections with Rivals, it was Clemson all the way. Plus I haven’t had any “BITS” columns over the last few days so it’s been hard to fit in that tidbit. No fallout, no.

  2. aziatic41 says:

    I think having Brantley back will be big confidence boost for our young team. But as far as him immediately getting us out of our offensive funk, I’m not encouraged that he will.. Brantley had some good times before he got injured but he has still not proved anything in his career. Getting hurt is unfortunate but it is what it is. And nobody hardly ever mentions when he threw the pick 6 against Alabama which really blew that game open. The Alabama test was his first true test and in my eyes he didn’t past. The pick 6 and the injury does not get a passing grade from me.

    I’d also like to see us get AC Leonard more involved as a tight end. Jordan Reed seems very uncomfortable as a tight end. His awareness at that position has not been well this year. Tight end production is very crucial in a Charlie Weis offense. Hopefully we’ll correct these issues.

    But on a positive note, I think we will have a way easier chance at winning our remaining games.

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