Florida’s quarterback picture got murkier after the Gators’ 28-7 loss to Georgia, and Jon Sumrall didn’t exactly clear it up afterward.
Sumrall had gone with Aaron Philo to start the annual rivalry game, even though Tramell Jones Jr. had helped spark Florida’s upset of Texas two weeks earlier. That choice didn’t hold for long.
Philo threw two interceptions in the first half and was replaced by Jones, but the switch didn’t change much for the offense. Jones also tossed an interception and finished with 172 passing yards, plus a late garbage-time rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Sumrall said Jones has been dealing with an injury that "may require surgery" after the season. He did not say what the injury is.
"He's got an injury that may require surgery after the year," Sumrall told reporters." Tramell really didn't look great with his health.
I'm not going to tell y'all his injury because I'm not trying to help other people right now. But he's got a real injury, I think some people are questioning what's going on."
Both quarterbacks were listed on Florida’s injury report before the Georgia game. Philo had missed the Texas game because of a shoulder injury he picked up earlier in the season, and Sumrall said Jones’ health, along with Philo’s practice work, shaped the decision on who would start.
"Rewind [to] the bye week," Sumrall continued. "Tramell really on Thursday of the bye week during our last practice was not anywhere near 100%.
I'm not going to disclose his injury but he did not come out of run-action, play-action, plays full speed with the injury he had. It presented worse later in the bye week.
Then on the Monday practice just from an execution standpoint, Philo was a lot cleaner earlier in the week, Monday-Tuesday."
Sumrall said Jones had the better practice on Wednesday, but Philo’s stronger work over the first three days gave him the edge.
Florida now has to sort out the position quickly with Oklahoma coming to town next week. Sumrall didn’t sound ready to lock in either quarterback, and the Gators are trying to avoid a second straight home loss to the Sooners.
With Jones’ injury in the mix, Florida may be leaning toward the healthier option in Philo for the stretch run. The Gators still have four games left against Oklahoma, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Florida State, and if Philo plays the way he did against Georgia, the finish could get rough in a hurry.
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