The Florida Gators are now expected to be without a key starter against the Tennessee Vols

The Florida Gators will reportedly be without a key starter on Saturday against the Tennessee Vols.

According to a report from On3's Gators Online, Florida redshirt senior edge rusher George Cumbs Jr will have surgery on his right knee this week.

Cumbs' season is likely over, but there's some hope, according the source that spoke to On3, that the Chicago native could return for the Gators' regular season finale against Florida State.

George Cumbs Jr started the first 10 games of the season for the Gators

Cumbs, who is in his second season at Florida after transferring from Northern Illinois, started the first 10 games of the 2025 season for the Gators (he played in 13 games with three starts in 2024).

The former three-star recruit has 31 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles this season (Cumbs leads Florida in tackles for loss and he's second on the team in sacks).

This is certainly a tough loss for Florida, and it'll make life on the Vols' offensive line a little easier against the Gators. But everyone in orange and white is still expecting to get Florida's best shot on Saturday night in the Swamp.

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This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Nashville section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.