Monday, October 3, 2011

Brantley out for LSU; his replacement uncertain

Florida quarterback John Brantley will miss the LSU game with high ankle sprain and his return is uncertain.

The fifth year senior, who was injured just before halftime of last Saturday night’s Alabama game, was reported to be wearing a medical boot on his right leg today.

Gators head coach Will Muschamp said as of today true freshman Jeff Driskel is listed as starter, but things could change before Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. kickoff at LSU. He said others who will take significant reps this week are redshirt freshman Tyler Murphy and true freshman Jacoby Brissett.

“We will do what’s best for our football team,” Muschamp said.

The coach said offensive coordinator Charlie Weis would put together a game plan that would play to the strengths of Driskel and the other quarterbacks.

Coming off arguably the best half of his career, Brantley has been sharp this season completing 66 of 102 passes for 942 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Against Alabama’s highly touted defense he was 11 for 16 for 190 yards and one touchdown.

Driskel is 7 for 16 for 73 yards and two interceptions. Murphy has never thrown a pass and Brissett has never appeared in a game.

A high ankle sprain is the sprain of a syndesmotic ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula on the lower leg. High ankle sprains are caused when the lower leg and foot twist out.

High ankle sprains are difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to determine how long an athlete might be out with the time ranging from a few days to six months. They are particularly tough on running backs because it takes away one of their strengths. For a drop back passer like Brantley the injury might not be so debilitating.

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