Florida starting offensive lineman questionable for the FSU game

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators are down eight starters against FSU following the season-ending injury to defensive back Aaron Gates, and they could be without two more players on Saturday.

UF starting right guard Dameion George Jr. and starting inside linebacker Grayson Howard are both questionable for the regular season finale, Florida coach Billy Napier revealed on Wednesday night.

George left the Ole Miss game with an injury and did not return. He was spotted on campus this week walking around with his left foot in a boot. His status for Saturday is to be determined, per Napier.

“I think there’s a chance that he’ll be available,” Napier said of George, a redshirt junior. “He can turn around.”

George has started all 10 games he’s played in this season but was out at Texas for the first time in his two years as a Gator. Redshirt freshman right guard Bryce Lovett made his first career start against the Longhorns and stepped in for George in the Ole Miss game.

Lovett graded out as one of Florida’s top five players on offense against Texas and LSU, according to Pro Football Focus. He would get the nod Saturday if George can’t go.

“He’s done good,” Napier said of Lovett. “I think Bryce is an athlete. I think he’s smart. He is tough. I think Bryce is still a young player. Bryce has position flexibility. He probably could play all five. He could play left tackle, both guards, right tackle, center. Bryce is a guy who developed late. He’s kind of a late-bloomer.

“I think he’s a good off-season away from being a heck of a football player. He’s still very young. I think at that position, the nutrition, the strength and conditioning, the weight room. We have a lot of players on our team that fit into that category. This coming off-season will be a big piece of the puzzle for guys like Bryce. There’s a long list of guys that fit into that category.”

Florida Gators injury report

PlayerPositionStatusDameion George Jr.OLQuestionableGrayson HowardLBQuestionableGraham MertzQBOutTreyaun WebbRBOutEugene Wilson IIIWROutKahleil JacksonWROutAaron GatesDBOutJason Marshall Jr.DBOutDevin MooreDBOutAsa TurnerDBOutJa’Keem JacksonDBOutDevon ManuelOLOutJamari LyonsDLOut

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