REPORT: Dominique Easley Suffers Injury, Florida Could Be On The Ropes
By Kyle Kensing
Aug 31, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Dominique Easley (2) rushes Toledo Rockets quarterback Terrance Owens (2) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Toledo Rockets 24-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Terrible news out of Florida Gators practice Wednesday, as Zach Abolverdi of The Gainesville Sun reports defensive lineman Dominique Easley suffered an injury that could be season-ending.
#UF senior DT Dominique Easley injured his knee at practice yesterday according to sources. It is believed to be a torn ACL. #Gators
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) September 25, 2013
Florida rode the success of its defense to an 11-1 regular season finish in 2012 and surprise Sugar Bowl berth. The defense is again leading the charge for the No. 20 ranked Gators, and Easley has been at the forefront. He’s made two tackles for loss and is tied with Ronald Powell for most quarterback hurries with four.
Head coach Will Muschamp downplayed the injury, per The Palm Beach Post’s Jason Lieser.
UF coach Will Muschamp says DT Dominique Easley's knee injury was non-contact. "We think he'll be fine."
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) September 25, 2013
But Easley’s own Twitter account alluded to a much more serious injury, in line with the initial report.
Easley. MT "@MR_ChUcKiE_2: Gatornation thank you for all 4 yrs of sticking with me but god has something else planned and have no worries"
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) September 25, 2013
The Gators travel to Kentucky for an SEC tilt Saturday, and should have enough to extend its current 26-game win streak over the Wildcats to 27. However, the loss of Easley clouds Florida’s position in the SEC East race with heavyweights Georgia and South Carolina.
Florida’s offensive outlook is murky with the season-ending injury quarterback Jeff Driskel suffered Saturday vs. Tennessee. Reserve Tyler Murphy was impressive in his stead, but the Gators still have room for improvement on that side of the ball.