Six more Florida players were held out of practice Tuesday because of flu-like symptoms, coach Urban Meyer said.
Starting linebacker A.J. Jones, safety Josh Evans, receiver Justin Williams, running back Mike Gillislee, defensive lineman Earl Okine and offensive lineman Shawn Schmieder are the latest in a string of illnesses that Meyer said limited the Gators on the field against Tennessee.
He added that defensive end Jermaine Cunningham and running back Jeffery Demps-both starters-still haven't fully recovered.
"We're battling a little bit," Meyer said. "We'll just control what we can control. Guys are wiping down everything, we're doing everything we can, and I think we'll be ok."
When asked about the prospect of quarterback Tim Tebow taking ill, Meyer joked, "He's coming with me to that deserted island I talked about."
The end?: Meyer may have finally broken the back and forth between he and Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin. When a reporter started to ask him about Kiffin's remark on Monday that suggested the Gators used the flu as an excuse for their performance Saturday, Meyer cut the question short with a "no comment."
Whatever it takes:Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio said he isn't concerned with Tebow carrying the ball 24 times against Tennessee and doesn't necessarily see a reason to gameplan differently with Kentucky coming up this weekend.
"We do what we got to do, period," Addazio said. "I think we're going to do whatever it takes to win the game, like we did, like we will do this week. Nothing is ever going to change there. It's all about one thing - get a W."
Addazio agreed there were probably only six or so plays designed for Tebow to carry the ball with no option of handing it off or throwing it to a receiver.
Still, he has no problem with his quarterback keeping the ball if that's what the situation calls for.
"Do what you do to win a football game," Addazio said. "He's a great football player, utilize a great football player. It could be Tim Tebow, it could be Chris Rainey, it could be Brandon James. It's all about about one thing -- win the game."
