Florida football will be without several key players, and could be missing even more, when it hosts Mississippi State on Saturday, according to the initial SEC Availability Report released Wednesday night.
Six Gators are officially out heading into the Week 8 matchup, including running backs Treyaun Webb and Duke Clark, edge rusher LJ McCray, defensive backs Aaron Gates and Dijon Johnson and defensive lineman Caleb Banks.
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All six were expected absences, with most dealing with injuries that have sidelined them for multiple weeks.
The bigger story is the group of questionable players, which features several key contributors on both sides of the ball.
Starting safety Jordan Castell, one of Florida’s top defensive players, is uncertain to play. Defensive back Cormani McClain is also questionable, as is defensive lineman Brien Taylor Jr.
Offensively, tight end Tony Livingston, who’s caught six passes for 47 yards and a touchdown this year, and offensive lineman Devon Manuel are both questionable.
Running back Ja’Kobi Jackson was a game-time decision last week against Texas A&M, but did not play. He’s currently listed as questionable for this week.
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Here’s the full initial SEC Availability Report for the Florida Gators.
The SEC Availability Reporting Policy
“In accordance with the Student-Athlete Availability Reporting Policy, teams must submit initial reports on Wednesday by 7:00 pm Central time / 8:00 pm Eastern time for a Saturday game (or, for any non-Saturday game, three nights before the game by 7:00 pm Central time / 8:00 pm Eastern time) … and update the Availability Report once per day on Thursday and Friday (after the conclusion of practice and before 7 pm Central time / 8 pm Eastern time).”
Each player must receive one of four designations:
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Out (i.e., will not play/0% chance to play);
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Doubtful (i.e., unlikely to play/25% chance to play);
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Questionable (i.e., uncertain to play/50% chance to play); or
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Probable (i.e., probable to play/75% chance to play)
If a player is listed on any previous availability report for the upcoming game, teams must change the designation to available. The questionable designation is not allowed in the Game Day Update.
OUT
QUESTIONABLE
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RB No. 24 Ja’Kobi Jackson
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DB No. 25 Cormani McClain
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DL No. 33 Brien Taylor Jr.
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TE No. 86 Tony Livingston
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football releases initial SEC Availability Report for Week 8
