RB Jeff Demps (sprained neck) – Hurt himself Saturday against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Expected to return to practice Tuesday or Wednesday and play vs. Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.

MLB Brandon Spikes (groin) – Aggravated injury two weeks ago against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Dressed for Mississippi State but did not play. Will return against Georgia.

DT Lawrence Marsh (ankle) – Keeps re-injuring the same ankle but has been held out extensively in order to help it heal correctly. Questionable but hopeful to return this week.

DT Justin Trattou (bicep) – Injured his bicep last week against Arkansas and was ruled out for Mississippi State immediately following the game. I am calling him doubtful for Georgia right now and do not expect him to play.

DT Jaye Howard (knee) – Questionable along with Marsh. Urban Meyer is of the belief that both will be able to play on Saturday.

DT Brandon Antwine (shoulder) – His shoulder problems do not seem to want to go away, and they only got worse this week. If Marsh and Howard return, Antwine will be held out (at least) for precautionary reasons.

CB Moses Jenkins (concussion) – Concussed in the same game as senior quarterback Tim Tebow, Jenkins has yet to return to action since the Kentucky Wildcats game. This may be the week if he is able to pass all of his baseline tests. Hope he gets better soon!

Tags: Arkansas Razorbacks, Brandon Antwine, Brandon Spikes, Jaye Howard, Jeff Demps, Justin Trattou, Lawrence Marsh, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Moses Jenkins, Urban Meyer

Over the last two weeks, OGGOA has reported on the slow and steady depletion of starters on the Florida Gators defensive line. The unplanned lack of depth is getting increasingly worrisome with senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes hampered by groin and Achilles tendonitis injures, further softening the middle of the defense.

Defensive tackles redshirt junior Lawrence Marsh (ankle), redshirt sophomore Jaye Howard (knee), junior Justin Trattou (biceps tendon) and redshirt junior Brandon Antwine (shoulder) lead the interior of the line – and all four are either questionable or doubtful for Saturday evening’s Mississippi State Bulldogs game. In their stead, redshirt freshman Omar Hunter and junior Terron Sanders filled in admirably against the Arkansas Razorbacks, both being named to head coach Urban Meyer’s Champions Club.

With four of six tackles potentially out for the game Saturday, Florida has scratched and clawed in order to find some depth in senior Troy Epps (who has played so rarely it took me five minutes to find a picture of him in action), redshirt defensive end Earl Okine and junior DE Duke Lemmens. Egads!

Defensive line coach Dan McCarney updated the status of his unit: “It’s day-to-day on Howard, don’t know on him. Marsh is day-to-day, I’d say he’s doubtful. I’m hoping he gets back next week. Earl Okine, we’re working in at tackle. Omar Hunter or Tank Epps can play in there at nose or tackle. Duke Lemmens can jump in there at tackle if we needed him to. I can only coach the guys who practice. We’ve got to get those guys ready. We’re thin right now, but we were still able to win an SEC game here (last Saturday) with four of my six guys that didn’t play.”

The best part of that quote, unfortunately, is that Epps’ nickname is “Tank.”

Tags: Arkansas Razorbacks, Brandon Antwine, Brandon Spikes, Champions Club, Dan McCarney, Duke Lemmens, Earl Okine, Jaye Howard, Justin Trattou, Lawrence Marsh, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Omar Hunter, Terron Sanders, Troy Epps, Urban Meyer