GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Gators starting left tackle Austin Barber was observed wearing a sling on his left arm ahead of Florida's regular-season-ending matchup against No. 5 Florida State on Saturday evening, making him inactive for the second week in a row as he recovers from injury.
Redshirt sophomore Damieon George Jr. is expected to fill in for Barber at left tackle with redshirt sophomore Kamryn Waites stepping in at George's typical right tackle spot against the Seminoles. Redshirt senior Lyndell Hudson II will serve as the Gators' swing tackle.
Barber, a redshirt sophomore, made nine starts for Florida during his third regular season with the team, a year removed from earning Freshman All-American honors from College Football News for his performance as a spot starter and UF's swing tackle in 2022.
Additionally, freshman wide receiver Andy Jean (lower body) did not participate in pregame warmups and will not be available for Florida. Jean finishes his rookie season with the Gators having caught six passes for 97 yards and preserved his redshirt, barring participation in a potential bowl game.
Florida on Wednesday ruled the following five players out of Week 13 against Florida State.
- QB Graham Mertz (upper body) — out
- WR Caleb Douglas (lower body) — out
- TE Jonathan Odom (upper body) — out
- LB Shemar James (lower body) — out
- EDGE Jack Pyburn (lower body) — out
The Gators will also be without running back Cam Carroll (lower body), tight end Keon Zipperer (lower body) and edge rusher Justus Boone (lower body) due to hurts that ended their seasons prematurely.
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