Eight Gators Out of Florida vs. Vanderbilt

Eight Gators, including three starters and several other meaningful contributors, will not play in Florida vs. Vanderbilt.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida will be without several important contributors and starters in its Week 6 matchup with Vanderbilt.

Running back Trevor Etienne (lower body), wide receiver Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman (lower body), tight end Dante Zanders (lower body), starting offensive tackle Austin Barber (lower body) and starting center Kingsley Eguakun (lower body) have been ruled out of the contest. 

These inactives are in addition to starting wide receiver Caleb Douglas (lower body), tight end Jonathan Odom (lower body)and linebacker/special teams ace Ja'Markis Weston (upper body) being deemed out by Florida on Wednesday. 

Although he has not started at running back for Florida this season, Etienne is a crucial member of the Gators' backfield, pacing the team in rushing attempts with 60, which have netted 358 yards and two touchdowns total.

Montrell Johnson Jr. will continue to start at running back for UF and is likely to see an uptick in carries compared to his 11.2 per game average this year. 

Barber was observed with a boot on his left foot during Gator Walk and ahead of the game. He did not participate in pre-game warmups. Instead, typical starting right tackle Damieon George Jr. was the Gators' first-team left tackle during those drills, while backup Lyndell Hudson II occupied George's usual spot on the right.  

Eguakun has been hampered by a high-ankle sprain since Florida's fall training camp, suffered on Aug. 16. He missed the Gators' Week 1, 2 and 4 matchups due to the hurt, which was aggravated when he played against Tennessee in Week 3. 

Jake Slaughter will fill in for Eguakun in the middle of UF's offensive line for the fourth time this season on Saturday.

Zanders, a backup tight end, has appeared in four games this season but did not take the field against Kentucky in Week 5. Chiaokhiao-Bowman made his season debut against the Wildcats before returning to the injury report in Week 6.

Although he was listed as questionable for Week 6, starting safety Miguel Mitchell (lower body) dressed out and participated in pre-game warmups. Mitchell is expected to be available against Vanderbilt, although freshman Bryce Thornton was named a starter in his place before the game.  

Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook. 

Get your Gators football, basketball, baseball and other sporting events tickets from SI Tickets here.