Running back Matt Jones practiced in pads for the first time Tuesday since contracting a viral infection in July. Jones is still out for Saturday’s game against Toledo.
“Matt was in pads yesterday and ran around a good bit,” coach Will Muschamp said during Wednesday’s Southeastern Conference Media Teleconference. “We tried to bang him around a little bit, and I think he’s a little sore this morning.”
Muschamp said Jones will participate in pregame warm-up drills before Saturday’s season opener and is still on track for his expected return against Miami on Sept. 7.
“Probably we’ll take him through pregame, honestly, to put him in a uniform and get him out there in the heat and let him run around a little bit and just continue to acclimate his body and get back with it,” Muschamp said.
Jones had more blood work done Monday. The sophomore running back missed all of fall camp with a viral infection. Team doctors have been cautious with Florida’s No. 1 running back in hopes of preventing a relapse.
Mack Brown will start at running back in Jones’ absence against the Rockets. Mark Herndon and Valdez Showers are the next two listed on the depth chart.
Hargreaves active: Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said Wednesday that freshman cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (shoulder) returned to practice and will play against Toledo. Hargreaves injured his shoulder during practice on Aug. 14.
“Vernon’s doing great,” Durkin said.
“He’s practicing and doing well. We expect to have him out there.”
Debose undergoes surgery: Wide receiver Andre Debose underwent successful surgery on a torn ACL Wednesday morning, Muschamp said. Muschamp discussed Debose’s injury during the SEC Media Teleconference on Wednesday.
“Andre, as a matter of fact, surgery went very well,” Muschamp said.
Freshman linebacker Matt Rolin, who also suffered a non-contact ACL tear, underwent surgery last week. Muschamp said Rolin’s procedure went “very well.”
Muschamp said that offensive tackle Chaz Green’s labrum tear during practice on Aug. 20 is the “only contact, football-related injury” UF has suffered during fall camp that will sideline a player for the entire season.
“The frustrating thing for us and for myself personally is just the non-football issues you’ve had to deal with,” Muschamp said. “Matt gets the viral infection, Jeff has the appendix situation, Jon Halapio hurts his pec in the weight room. Those things are hard to deal with. And we have Andre Debose, a non-contact ACL. Matt Rolin, a non-contact ACL. They’re freak things that happen, and that’s unfortunate.”
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Sophomore running back Matt Jones runs the ball during Florida’s 37-26 victory against Florida State on Nov. 24 at Doak Campbell Stadium.
