Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes will sit out the entire Vanderbilt game Saturday, coach Urban Meyer and Spikes jointly announced Wednesday.
Meyer and Spikes spoke to the media for roughly 30 seconds each.
Neither took any questions.
The senior All-American was originally suspended Monday for only the first half by Meyer. The penalty came in regards to an incident Saturday where Spikes put his hand in the facemask of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey.
"Brandon came to see us last night. Coach Strong and myself and a lot of the negative things out there are really weighing heavy on his heart right now," Meyer said. "And so we thought, as a group, we decided it would be best interest just for the team to not play him Saturday, but it's a group decision and we're doing it out of respect to our team so we can try to focus on trying to win our ninth game. We think it's the right thing to do.
"We support Brandon fully. We look forward to him getting back and finishing the season the right way."
Spikes led the Gators in tackles Saturday after sitting out the previous seven quarters with a groin injury.
"I really don't want to be a distraction to the team," Spikes said. "I want the guys to prepare without any negative things going on, and I feel like if I would play it would be a big thing going on.
"I'm just trying to stay out of the way, just motivate the guys. I'm pretty sure the (coaching) staff's got my back, and my teammates really support me in this decision."
