The Florida Gators will be without starting quarterback Luke Del Rio for this weekend’s SEC clash against the rival Tennessee Volunteers. After Del Rio was injured last weekend against North Texas, the signal-caller was diagnosed with an MCL sprain and it was reported he could miss up to two weeks.
On Monday, head coach Jim McElwain officially ruled Del Rio out for the team’s upcoming game.
McElwain would not provide a timeline for Del Rio’s return.
“He’s got a bum leg. He should be back some time. I don’t know when. I’m not going to rush him back,” McElwain said, via NFL.com. “I’ll never put anybody out there who is not ready to go … I feel horrible for him, especially how it happened, and yet, that’s part of the game.”
Without Del Rio, the Gators will turn to Purdue transfer Austin Appleby as the starter against the Vols.
Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks will serve as the backups.
While it is a less than ideal situation for the Gators to be taking the field against an SEC rival with their backup quarterback, the Vols will be without their best defensive back, Cam Sutton, so things will be a little easier for Appleby in his start.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
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