Dan Mullen updates Anthony Richardson's status after recent injury revelation
Ahead of a much-needed non-conference game against Samford on Saturday, Florida head coach Dan Mullen shared an update on quarterback Anthony Richardson.
“We feel good he’ll be cleared to play Saturday,” Mullen said on Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference.
Mullen added Richardson has been practicing all week.
The 6-foot-4, 236-pound quarterback missed Saturday’s loss at South Carolina. Originally, it was assumed the dual-threat signal caller was out due to a concussion suffered against Georgia the previous week. However, it was later revealed Richardson hurt his knee dancing at the team hotel on Friday night.
Mullen previously said Richardson could have played on Saturday, but since he did not practice Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of last week — he was cleared Thursday — it made more sense to have him sit out in Columbia.
Sophomore quarterback Emory Jones got the start versus the Gamecocks instead, and the Gators went down in an embarrassing fashion. Jones went 17-for-30 with 238 passing yards, two scores and an interception. The Gators had a total of 82 rushing yards in the 40-17 loss.
The blowout led to the firing of defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and offensive line coach John Hevesy. The offensive line firing was more surprising given Florida has allowed just nine sacks all season (tied for seventh in the nation), and they are averaging 224.9 rushing yards per game. Their average of 5.9 yards per rush leads the SEC.
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Richardson shares details of unlikely injury
Richardson shared a video on Twitter of what exactly caused his injury while dancing before the Gators took on South Carolina. The redshirt freshman, nicknamed AR-15 after his initials and jersey number, shared the exact dance he claimed he hurt himself doing in the team hotel.
Richardson has 474 passing yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions on the year. He has also added 347 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground. The game against Georgia was the Gainesville native’s first career start.
It is unclear who will start this weekend against Samford. The Bulldogs are 4-5 on the season, and they have played in six one-possession games.
This weekend, Florida is looking to avoid their fourth straight loss. They must win two of their three final games to become bowl eligible just one year removed from challenging Alabama for the SEC title. The game kicks off at noon ET on ESPN+ and SEC Network +.
On3’s Austin Brezina contributed to this report.