Florida kicks off its season against Toledo on Saturday, but two key players will be absent.
Running back Matt Jones (viral infection) and offensive lineman Jon Halapio (partially torn pectoral muscle) will miss the Gators’ season opener, coach Will Muschamp said Friday.
"(They) certainly are huge absences," Muschamp said. "I think we’ll play well in their absence, but certainly they are good football players, and we want them back."
Muschamp said Jones is questionable for Florida’s Week 2 matchup against Miami.
He added that the sophomore running back looked healthy, but the medical staff told him Jones could suffer a relapse if he was taxed too much too soon.
"They want to make sure his immune system is up and he can handle those things," Muschamp said. "Any time you have a serious viral infection, which is what he had, his immune system is battle down a little bit."
Junior Mack Brown will replace Jones at tailback. Brown has played in 25 games and rushed for 167 yards on 40 attempts.
Former walk-on Mark Herndon will be the backup runner with former defensive back Valdez Showers as the No. 3 back.
"We got a lot of confidence in Mark and Mack and Valdez," Muschamp said.
Freshmen Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane may get a chance to play, but Muschamp said the staff has not decided what their roles will be this season.
Brown and the other running backs will have to prove they can fill Jones’ shoes.
Jones was Mike Gillislee’s backup for most of last season, and his production increased as the season wore on.
In the last game of the regular season, Jones rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown against Florida State. He finished the year with 275 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Offensive coordinator Brent Pease said on Aug. 21 that the group does not have much time to show they can live up to Jones’ standard. He also confirmed the starting job belongs to Jones once he is healthy enough to get back on the field.
"He was a kid that we were going to lean on," Pease said. "I’ve always told Matt, ‘Hey be prepared to carry the ball a lot and do it in the fourth quarter, you know 24, 25-or plus carries a game.’"
Halapio is expected to miss an additional game.
"I think his pec is filling in," Muschamp said. "We don’t want to push it with him. But I would safely project him for Tennessee."
Muschamp said he was comfortable with other players filling in for Halapio along the offensive line. He mentioned sophomore transfer Tyler Moore, junior Ian Silberman and redshirt senior Kyle Koehne as potential replacements at guard.
But it was not all bad news for the Gators on the injury front.
Muschamp said he expects several injured players will be cleared to play next week.
Defensive tackle Damien Jacobs (knee), fullback Hunter Joyer (hamstring) and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (shoulder sprain) are all expected to play against Toledo, according to Muschamp.
"I do feel good about this team," Muschamp said.
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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.
