Gators Defensive Ends Greenard, Zuniga Will Be "Game-Time Decisions" vs. South Carolina

Florida's premier edge-rushing tandem is questionable for this week's SEC matchup, as both players are suffering from ankle injuries.

The Florida Gators could be without their premier edge-rushing tandem against South Carolina this Saturday.

While the good news is that neither player's ankle injury appears to be a long-term issue, Jonathan Greenard and Jabari Zuniga will be "game-time decisions" against the Gamecocks, said head coach Dan Mullen on Monday.

Greenard played nine snaps in Florida's 42-28 loss to LSU, before exiting the game with an apparent ankle injury. He remained on the sidelines without pads, and Mullen stated that Greenard hadn't practice

After missing three games, Zuniga finally returned to the field against the Tigers - only to re-injure his ankle and leave the game. He saw 22 snaps and created one quarterback pressure against the Tigers.

While the two haven't been on the field at the same time nearly enough for Florida this season, given Zuniga's ankle injury, both players are difference-makers for Florida defensively. Greenard leads the team in sacks (four), tackles for loss (6.5), and QB pressures with 27, on 298 snaps through seven games. Zuniga has recorded three sacks, four tackles for loss, and 12 QB pressures on only 114 snaps in four games.

Florida saw a drastic drop off in their pass rush without Greenard and Zuniga consistently on the field against LSU. The team failed to record a sack for the first time this season, and four players combined for only six pressures other than Zuniga's sole pressure.

As the Gators look to bounce back from their first loss of the season this weekend at South Carolina, they'll need to get things figured out on the edge should Greenard and Zuniga be unable to go. Jeremiah Moon will step into a much larger role than his typical rotational role at BUCK pass rusher, and guys like Zachary Carter and true freshman Khris Bogle will have to make an impact.