Florida EDGE Jack Pyburn heads to team locker room with injury

Florida‘s injury woes on the defensive front went from bad to worse in the second half of a competitive contest with Arkansas on Saturday. Edge defender Jack Pyburn is the latest Gators player shaken up.

Pyburn was shaken up near the end of the third quarter and was down on the grass for about two minutes.

Trainers initially came to check on him, and Pyburn took off his helmet while lying on his back and gave it a frustrated toss. After a minute or so, Pybrun was helped to his feet and headed straight to the Florida locker room.

His injury comes at a position where Florida was already razor thin.

The Gators were without edge rusher Tyreak Sapp on Saturday due to an upper-body injury, thrusting Jack Pyburn into the starting lineup. The youngster was eager for a shot to prove his worth.

Pyburn had previously recorded 13 tackles and a tackle for a loss this season.

Jackson, Sapp out for Florida

Two major defensive linemen were ruled out for Florida just hours before the team’s contest on Saturday. Starting defensive tackle Cam Jackson and Sapp were both ruled out with upper-body injuries.

The absence of the two defensive linemen stings for Florida, particularly in a physical game up front against Arkansas. The loss of Jack Pyburn only made matters worse.

Jackson has logged 25 tackles, a half tackle for a loss and a pass breakup, while Sapp has logged 17 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.

Florida’s defensive line was managing well through the first half, though the absence of a key Arkansas player also made things easier.

The Razorbacks were playing without leading rusher Rashod Dubinion on Saturday, as Dubinion attended the funeral of his grandmother. But the Hogs were bolstered by the return of Raheim Sanders, the 2022 star in the backfield.

Through the first half, Sanders had run five times for 34 yards in the contest.