After Alabama mercilessly wore down Florida’s front seven with 52 rushing attempts on Saturday, coach Will Muschamp is beginning to see the toll it took on the Gators’ defense.
Defensive tackle Leon Orr suffered a "small tear" in his meniscus in addition to a bone bruise.
As a result, the redshirt senior is listed as questionable for UF’s matchup against Tennessee on Oct. 4.
"Leon Orr had a (knee) scope on Monday," Muschamp said Wednesday.
"He was walking (Tuesday) so we’ll see how he continues to progress."
Orr, who has 14 total tackles including two for losses on the season, forced one of the Crimson Tide’s three fumbles on Saturday.
The 6-foot-5, 305-pound defensive tackle hasn’t missed a game since sitting out the final four regular-season contests of 2012 with an illness.
Linebacker Michael Taylor is also listed as questionable after bruising his knee, which subsequently caused swelling.
Taylor not only leads his team in total tackles along with Antonio Morrison, but he also is one of the Gators’ strongest leaders on the defensive side of the ball.
Fortunately for Florida, the squad has a bye week before heading into its third Southeastern Conference game of the season.
Muschamp said UF’s extra time to rest during the weekend should help the two starters’ chances of playing against Tennessee.
Offensive line beginning to recover: Left tackle D.J. Humphries, who left Florida’s season opening win against Eastern Michigan with a chipped ankle bone, should make his return to the field when the team heads to Knoxville, Tenn.
Humphries played less than a quarter of football this year before being knocked out with the ankle injury.
Chaz Green and Trenton Brown each suffered ankle injuries against Alabama, but both players are listed as probable and each will have the bye week to ensure a more deliberate healing process.
Muschamp said he still expects to have Rod Johnson see playing time on the line despite the veterans making a comeback to the field.
The freshman filled in at right tackle after Green moved to left tackle to cover for Humphries.
"We’re going to figure out what our best five are, and that’s something we actually discussed Tuesday about where we move from there," Muschamp said. "We need to get D.J. back full speed first, but there’s no question Rod is playing good football for us."
Another player out for the year: Running back Mark Herndon will miss the rest of the season after his ACL was torn during a kickoff return Saturday.
"Disappointed for Mark Herndon," Muschamp said. "(He) was covering a kick there, got his foot caught and got hit on it and turned funny."
Herndon, whose most notable contribution this year came on a 78-yard touchdown reception from Treon Harris in the season opener, was used mostly on special teams.
Herndon joins Jake McGee, J.C. Jackson and Thomas Holley on the Gators’ out-for-the-year list.
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Trainers carry UF running back Mark Herndon off the field during Florida's 42-21 loss to Alabama on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
