GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- By now you figure it's only a matter of time before Gators coach Will Muschamp hobbles into one of his press conferences with a knee brace on and announces, "I’m coaching from the press box this week, torn ACL."
During his weekly press conference Wednesday, Muschamp announced that redshirt freshman linebacker Jeremi Powell is the latest Gator to suffer a season-ending knee injury.
Powell was injured in the second half at Missouri as he tried to block a punt. He made a hard tackle earlier in the game on kickoff coverage and played in all seven games this season on special teams, registering four tackles.
Powell joins freshman linebacker Matt Rolin (knee), receiver Andre Debose (knee), offensive lineman Chaz Green (shoulder), quarterback Jeff Driskel (fibula), running back Matt Jones (knee), defensive back Nick Washington (shoulder) and defensive tackle Dominique Easley (knee) on the season-ending injury list.
"It's frustrating, but it is what it is," Muschamp said. "That's the hand that you've been dealt and you're going to play it."
Meanwhile, with a bye week before facing Georgia, Muschamp said he expects to have linebacker Ronald Powell (photo, above) back for the Bulldogs. Powell missed the Missouri game with an ankle injury.
The Gators are also hopeful defensive tackle Damian Jacobs (head) and linebacker Darrin Kitchens (shoulder) can return in time to face the Bulldogs. Both players missed the Missouri game.
Last but not least, Muschamp said quarterback Tyler Murphy is unlikely to throw much this week while his sore right shoulder heals. Murphy was hurt at LSU and played against Missouri.
