Florida started fall practice hoping to have one of the wide receivers emerge as the likely candidate to replace Percy Harvin.
With this week's news that freshman Andre Debose's hamstring injury is worse than previously thought, replacing Harvin just got a little bit tougher.
"We got some guys that need to step up," senior wide receiver David Nelson said. "Our main concern on the team is depth at wide receiver."
Of all the receivers, Debose was the most likely to gash opposing defenses from the slot and the backfield.
If he is unable to go for a large portion of the season, senior Brandon James and sophomore Jeff Demps could see the bulk of the touches in that role.
James, who has caught just 19 passes in his three-year career, will have an expanded role in the passing game despite being used primarily as a kickoff and punt return specialist until this season.
"This being my senior year and (Harvin) leaving, its my turn to really step in and fill the offensive void," James said."We've had a lot of depth, a lot of playmakers. I had to wait my turn."
The outside receiver positions are more set as Nelson, senior Riley Cooper and sophomore Deonte Thompson have proven to be reliable pass catchers throughout training camp.
Cooper, in particular, has caught the eye of coach Urban Meyer, who said the senior has looked better than ever in his senior campaign.
"Of all the previous camps and previous years he has been a Florida Gator, he's not even close to where he's at right now," Meyer said. "His attitude is tremendous."
The coaching staff is confident with the top three wideouts, but Debose's injury has also made depth a cause for concern.
T.J. Lawrence and Frankie Hammond Jr., both redshirt freshmen, are next on the depth chart and neither of them have ever played in a college game.
Nelson said the veterans challenged the two young receivers to step up in practice this week, but he was unhappy with the results.
"We really need them to be consistent," Nelson said. "They made some plays (Monday). But they'll make a play and the next play they won't. It has to be consistent every down. I'm going to sit down with them and try to get in their heads a little bit and tell them it wasn't acceptable.
"They have to know their assignments. They can't miss assignments. It's game week. I have to trust the guy next to me to know his assignment. There are too many missed assignments. They need to get in the playbook and really understand what's going on."
