GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida seems to be treading water when it comes to injuries.
Starting left guard Max Garcia (back) and reserve offensive lineman Trip Thurman (shoulder) returned to practice on Monday, but the Gators lost two more players and are still waiting on word on two others.
Fullback Hunter Joyer suffered a hamstring pull on Sunday, and UF coach Will Muschamp said Joyer will be out at least 10 days. Cornerback/safety Jaylen Watkins suffered a sprained foot on Sunday and will miss the rest of the week. Muschamp said he should return next week.
In addition, starting right guard Jon Halapio is still out with a torn pectoral muscle. Halapio has been participating in individual drills but won’t be cleared for contact for another seven to 10 days, Muschamp said.
Running back Matt Jones has begun cardio workouts in his return from a viral infection, but Muschamp said the 6-foot-2, 226-pound Jones is still out indefinitely.
"At some point, whether it’s the first week or the second week or as you head into the open week, he’s going to play for us this year," Muschamp said of Jones. "We’re a little bit in uncharted waters coming into having the type of infection he had, and then you’re talking about the heat we’re in and that sort of thing. I think we need to be really careful right now that we don’t have a relapse of the situation."
