The uncertainty surrounding Jeff Demps’ availability for Florida’s game Saturday night against Alabama stretched right up until game time.
The foot injury that limited the running back throughout practice in the week leading up to the game, however, did not ultimately cost the Gators’ their leading rusher. Demps acquitted himself well in the loss, at least compared to some of his offensive teammates, rushing for 47 yards on just 11 carries.
While Demps indeed played, he self-admittedly wasn’t at full speed; the junior estimated that he was/is at about 90 percent, even as “the trainers are doing a good job of trying to get me back.” Demps also seemed to intimate that the need to shut himself down could arise if the corner can’t be turned on the injury.
“It bothers me when I’m running and also it bothers me when I try to cut, plant or come back,’' Demps said. “I’m trying to tough it out, but at the same time, I think it’s affecting me.”
Not only is Demps Florida’s leading rusher, but he’s also one of the top collegiate sprinters in the country and has an eye on a possible attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London. Given the nature of the injury -- feet are, ya know, kind of important to sprinters -- would Demps err on the side of caution this year given his future goals? You want to say no, he wouldn’t, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on if the injury continues to linger.
