After a fractured right thumb and a hamstring injury kept linebacker Jelani Jenkins out of three games this season, a broken fifth metatarsal will keep him out of Florida’s bowl game. He underwent surgery on Monday morning and is expected to be out four to six weeks.
“(He) should be fine,” coach Will Muschamp said.
Jenkins recorded two tackles and an interception before leaving UF’s game against Florida State on Saturday.
Aside from Jenkins, Muschamp said Florida is relatively healthy heading into a probable appearance in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2.
Guard Ian Silberman (torn labrum), safety De’Ante Saunders (undisclosed) and Jenkins are expected to sit out postseason play due to injury.
Muschamp expects linebacker Neiron Ball, who is nursing an ankle injury, to play. Quarterback Jeff Driskel and center Jonotthan Harrison are each wearing a walking boot because of ankle injuries, but Muschamp said they should both be fine.
Muschamp is hopeful defensive tackle Leon Orr (kidney infection) will return to physical activity during the week.
Coaching search: Since Aubrey Hill resigned in August, the Gators have been using graduate assistant Bush Hamdan at wide receivers coach.
Now, Muschamp is looking for a permanent solution at the position. He said he has a long list of candidates he plans to reach out to.
Muschamp also said he would support any UF assistant who has an opportunity to take a better job somewhere else, adding that he does not expect any staff changes to take place.
Gators expect a trip to New Orleans: After UF defeated Florida State and Notre Dame held off USC on Saturday, Florida’s bowl picture became clearer.
Muschamp met with athletic director Jeremy Foley on Monday and discussed the Gators’ postseason fate.
“He just said it looked like the Sugar Bowl,” Muschamp said. “Nothing for sure until Sunday night, but that’s what it looks like.”
The Sugar Bowl takes place on Jan. 2 at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Although the Gators are out of national title contention, their bowl opponent has yet to be determined. Conference championship games take place on Saturday.
“I’ll watch a game, but we’re going to be recruiting,” Muschamp said. “That’s the most important thing that we need to do.”
Muschamp responds to Saban: Alabama coach Nick Saban shared his thoughts about Florida’s path to the Sugar Bowl in a teleconference on Sunday.
No. 2 Alabama plays No. 3 Georgia on Saturday for the Southeastern Conference title and a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.
The loser will likely fall behind Florida and play in a non-BCS bowl.
“It’s not really a great scenario,” Saban said on Sunday. “You play your way into the (SEC) championship game, which means you’re the best team in your division. … It doesn’t seem quite right, but it is what it is. I don’t really know what me commenting about it is going to do to change it. But I don’t feel good about it.”
Alabama defeated LSU 21-0 in last year’s BCS National Championship Game despite not playing in the SEC Championship Game.
Muschamp worked under Saban at LSU and in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.
The top four teams automatically play in a BCS bowl unless a conference already has two teams qualify. Florida would be the second team, but Muschamp wouldn’t mind a different scenario.
“Well, I can switch and go to Atlanta if he doesn’t want to go to Atlanta and play the ‘Dawgs,” Muschamp said. “Be careful what you ask for, Nick.”
Contact Adam Pincus at apincus@alligator.org.
Leon Orr gets into his stance during UF’s 44-11 win against South Carolina on Oct. 20, 2012, in The Swamp.
