Matt Jones is out for the season after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee during the first half of Florida’s 17-6 loss to LSU on Saturday.
A disappointing start to the season is now a disaster for the sophomore running back, who underwent surgery Monday to repair the damage.
Jones is not eligible to receive a medical redshirt because the injury occurred so late in the season. He will likely be at full strength for the start of spring practice.
“I hate it for Matt,” said coach Will Muschamp, who initially believed the injury was a sprained knee.
“He’s a great young man. To go through what he’s been through this fall … and then to have this setback, is just disheartening for all of us.”
Jones’ injury ends a season that never truly got started. After serving as Florida’s primary back-up running back last season, the Seffner native expected to become the focal point of the Gators’ offense.
However, that plan began to unravel before the start of the season.
Jones suffered a severe viral infection in July that left him hospitalized for more than a week.
The infection caused him to lose about 10 pounds and miss all of training camp.
The effects of the illness bled into the season.
Jones missed Florida’s season opener against Toledo on Aug. 31. He returned a week later to face Miami but was not at full strength, fumbling during the first quarter and proving to be ineffective in a 21-16 loss to the Hurricanes.
Jones improved after his slow start and showed flashes of potential.
He rushed for a career-high 176 yards on 28 carries against Kentucky and currently ranks 11th in the Southeastern Conference with an average of 67.8 rushing yards per game.
He carried the ball a total of 79 times for 339 yards and two touchdowns during five games this season.
“Again, man down, man up,” Muschamp said. “We’ll get the next guy up.”
Muschamp has repeated that sentiment an alarming number of times already.
Jones is the seventh player on Florida’s roster to be lost for the season.
He joins Jeff Driskel (leg), Dominique Easley (knee), Andre Debose (knee), Chaz Green (shoulder), Nick Washington (shoulder) and Matt Rolin (knee) as players who have suffered season-ending injuries.
Florida now turns to redshirt junior Mack Brown and freshman Kelvin Taylor to shoulder the load in the running game. Valdez Showers could also see an increased role out of the backfield, Muschamp said.
Brown filled in for Jones against Toledo and ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
In six games this season, Brown is averaging 3.7 yards per carry.
Taylor provides another alternative for the Gators at tailback. After entering Saturday’s game against LSU with just six carries all season, the four-star recruit rushed 10 times for 52 yards and helped spark an otherwise dormant Florida offense.
With Jones out of the picture, Taylor could be in line for a larger role in the offense.
“He deserved the opportunity,” Muschamp said of Taylor. “Regardless of the injury, he was going to play in the game more than he had previous to this game. Obviously, the injury accelerated that.”
Follow Phillip Heilman on Twitter @phillip_heilman.
Matt Jones (24) stiff-arms LSU safety Corey Thompson (12) during Florida’s 17-6 loss on Oct. 12 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Jones missed the season after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee.
