Florida football expects to be without stars CJ Henderson, Kadarius Toney vs. Kentucky

By Adam Silverstein
September 9, 2019
Florida football expects to be without stars CJ Henderson, Kadarius Toney vs. Kentucky
Football

Image Credit: Kelly Chase / UAA

Fresh off a new No. 9 ranking in the new AP Top 25 poll, the Florida Gators will begin their SEC slate down two of their star players. Head coach Dan Mullen announced Monday that junior cornerback CJ Henderson is doubtful for Florida’s SEC opener against the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday night with a sprained ankle, and junior athlete Kadarius Toney will miss a couple of weeks with a shoulder injury.

Mullen insisted that he would not play Henderson until he was 100 percent, though he badly wants to play in the game. He officially called him “doubtful.”

Henderson, arguably the Gators’ best player, dove for a potential pass breakup in the first half in Week 2 against Tennessee-Martin and did not immediately get up. After a few minutes on his back, he limped off the field with the help of two trainers as he struggled to put weight on his left leg. Henderson was seen in a walking boot after the game.

Toney was another story as he was lifted up and planted by a defender in the first half on a play for lost yardage, immediately grabbing his left hand and arm. He went to the injury tent on the sideline and was not seen again.

Florida is already down multiple backup defensive backs this season and saw three sit out Saturday’s game; two due to suspension and one because he was not 100 percent due to injury. Senior safety Jeawon Taylor and sophomore athlete Amari Burney, who plays linebacker and defensive back, have both been cleared to return to action this week.

Henderson and Toney are both donning the No. 1 jerseys for the Gators this season, becoming the Florida players to hold that distinction since 2015.

“You’ve gotta be a baller to be No. 1,” Mullen told OnlyGators.com on May 8, 2018, ahead of a speaking engagement.

UF will visit Kentucky on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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