GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Fifth-ranked Florida will be without Andre Caldwell against No. 22 Tennessee this Saturday, and maybe longer, after the receiver hurt his right knee.
Caldwell sprained his medial collateral ligament in Florida’s 59-31 win over Troy on Saturday and could be sidelined at least two weeks.
“That’s a blow,” coach Urban Meyer said Monday. “That’s a frontal shot right there.”
Caldwell touched the ball eight times for 130 yards and a touchdown in Florida’s first two games, averaging 16.3 yards per play. He caught 57 passes for 577 yards and six touchdowns last season. He also ran for a score and threw a touchdown pass.
“It’s a tough loss for us,” quarterback Tim Tebow said. “He’s a great player, a great leader for us and for our receiving corps. Everybody looks up to him. But a great thing about being at the University of Florida is you have guys that can step up and make plays. All those guys will step up.”
Meyer didn’t have a timetable for Caldwell’s return.
“All I’m going to tell you is he’s not going to play this week,” he said.
Meyer also said backup safety Bryan Thomas, who plays primarily on special teams, won’t play because of a sprained MCL.
The coach had better news on running back and kick returner Brandon James (ankle) and receivers Jarred Fayson (knee) and Percy Harvin (knee and Achilles’ tendon).
He said all three were cleared to practice Monday and would play against the Volunteers.
The Gators (2-0) might need them to help replace Caldwell, one of the offense’s most dangerous deep threats and a senior captain.
“Whenever you lose a guy like Andre Caldwell, you definitely have to step up because he’s definitely a big-time play-making guy,” tight end Cornelius Ingram said. “He’s one of the emotional leaders on the team. He’s always the guy that’s talking and gets us going.”
Add A Comment
THIS IS NOT A GAMBLING SITE – If you think you have a gambling problem click here.
Disclaimer: This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Individual users are responsible for the laws regarding accessing gambling information from their jurisdictions. Many countries around the world prohibit gambling, please check the laws in your location. Any use of this information that may violate any federal, state, local or international law is strictly prohibited.
Copyright: The information contained on TheSpread.com website is protected by international copyright and may not be reproduced, or redistributed in any way without expressed written consent.
About: TheSpread.com is the largest sports betting news site in the United States. We provide point spread news, odds, statistics and information to over 175 countries around the world each year. Our coverage includes all North American College and Professional Sports as well as entertainment, political and proposition wagering news.
©1999-2023 TheSpread.com