Gators offer injury updates for four players entering Week 4

Given the season-ending ankle injury to quarterback Feleipe Franks this past Saturday against Kentucky, the Florida Gators will not be at full strength again this season.

However, they're a lot closer to it now than they were a week ago.

Head coach Dan Mullen announced on Monday that linebacker Amari Burney will return to action in Week 4 after missing the last two weeks with an undisclosed injury. His positional versatility between linebacker, STAR nickel cornerback, and safety provides the Gators with badly-needed depth, not to mention his co-starting role at MONEY linebacker.

Also, cornerback C.J. Henderson and defensive end Jabari Zuniga will most likely miss practice this week, but Mullen believes both have a strong shot at playing on Saturday. Both have suffered from ankle sprains - Henderson's came against UT-Martin and kept him out of the Kentucky game, while Zuniga had his against the Wildcats but returned to action.

Mullen stated that Henderson and Zuniga's veteran experience allows them to miss practice while rehabbing injuries, but leaves Florida confident in their ability to suit up in spite of sitting out the week. In Mullen's eyes, it's better to be safe than sorry when risking further injury to two of the team's leaders and best players.

Then, of course, there's Franks. Mullen confirmed that Franks suffered a dislocated ankle that also had a break in it, which will sideline him for about six months and requires surgery. That surgery is set to take place next Monday.

There was no further word on wide receiver Kadarius Toney's recovery from a shoulder injury that kept him out of Week 3 action. Last week, Mullen announced that Toney would miss time due to the injury suffered against UT-Martin, but there really isn't a solidified timeline for his return.

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