Latest on injury status of Florida Gators center Kingsley Eguakun

SALT LAKE CITY — Florida starting center Kingsley Eguakun is expected to miss the season opener Thursday, Gators Online has learned. Eguakun has started 26 consecutive games over the past two years.

On3’s Matt Zenitz reported that as of Wednesday night, it would be somewhat of a surprise if Eguakun ends up playing against Utah. Gators Online can confirm he did not practice this week.

Eguakun still made the trip to Salt Lake City and counts against Florida’s scholarship travel roster. UF coach Billy Napier reiterated Wednesday that the redshirt junior is questionable for the Utah game.

“We listed him as questionable and that’s what he is,” Napier said on the SEC teleconference.

Eguakun suffered a lower body injury on Aug. 16 during fall camp and hasn’t been able to practice since then. With him sidelined, center Jake Slaughter will make his first career start.

Jake Slaughter starting for Kingsley Eguakun

The redshirt sophomore played in all 13 games last season, primarily in a special teams role, and started in the spring game and the last fall camp scrimmage in place of Eguakun.

Napier, Eguakun and offensive coordinator Rob Sale have all praised the play of Slaughter throughout the offseason.

“Jake Slaughter is a player I have the utmost confidence in. He’s been outstanding in his role. It’s really important to Jake. He wants to do his job for his teammates. He cares about the University of Florida. It’s kind of in his DNA to some degree, being local. So he’s done fantastic,” Napier said.

“And I do think we’ve worked other players there. Obviously Knijeah [Harris], but Richie Leonard can play center. Rod Kearney is a good young prospect that can play there. I think we feel good about the depth there of the interior offensive line. It’s a good group.”

“Jake Slaughter is doing a great job. I would have no problem rolling out their Jake at anytime,” Sale said in the spring. “Jake Slaughter is getting nothing but better. … I have no problems with Jake going in the game. If we’re playing tomorrow. Jake’s a good football player.”

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