Meyer: Still Waiting On Debose; Team Is Ready

Neither wide receiver Andre Debose nor Florida coach Urban Meyer are in any rush to make a decision about what to do about Debose’ injured hamstring. Meyer announced Saturday the freshman would need to be evaluated for the seriousness of the injury.

According to Florida Coach Urban Meyer, a decision was supposed to be made by now on the injured hamsting of Andre Debose, but it is clear they are trying to avoid surgery.

They have met with doctors the last couple of days but still need more time to come to a conclusion about what to do.

“I walk into the doctor’s office and they say ‘we want to check a couple more things out, and then we will let you know,’” Meyer said.

Meyer said Monday the injury resembled the one suffered before the BCS National Championship by Oklahoma’s RB DeMarco Murray, who required surgery to repair a partially torn tendon in his hamstring.

Debose will not participate at all in practice until they are sure what is wrong.

....................................................................................................

*Meyer said freshman LB Jelani Jenkins ran around at practice Wednesday but is still doubtful for Saturday’s game because of a sprained ankle. CB Jeremy Brown and WR Carl Moore will not play in Saturday’s game against Charleston Southern due to back injuries

* LB Brandon Hicks and DT Lawrence Marsh will both be able to play despite missing some time in practice this week because of nagging injuries. If Marsh is slowed at all by the injury, expect Omar Hunter to play. Meyer said he has been looking better as of late. Troy Epps has looked better lately.

*LB A.J. Jones joins Brandon Spikes and Ryan Stamper in the starting lineup at linebacker. Brendan Beal did not practice today, but he will play.

* The starters on the left side of the offensive line and at defensive tackle will be game time decisions. It is between Matt Patchan at tackle with Carl Johnson at guard or Johnson at tackle and James Wilson at guard. Marsh will start at one of the defensive tackle spots, and Terron Sanders or Jaye Howard will be next to him.

*CB Markihe Anderson will be more involved in the defense than he was a year ago, and Meyer said he has been practicing well enough to make a push for more playing time.

*Meyer said he still values guys who run track despite the extra risk of an injury like Debose who was thought to have hurt himself in the high school state championships in the spring. “Fast guys run track,” he said. “Guys who say they are fast and don’t run track usually aren’t fast.”

*“Four to six seconds, as hard as you can go.” Not much of motivational speech, but that’s what Meyer said he will tell his team before Saturday’s kickoff.