Report: Ken Seals to start against Florida, AJ Swann available despite elbow injury

When Florida and Vanderbilt meet today, they’ll do so with backup quarterback Ken Seals expected to make the start against the Gators.

Starting quarterback AJ Swann will be available to play, but he is still recovering from an elbow injury, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

While Seals is the backup, he does have considerable experience. He has started 17 games during his time with the Commodores, so he’s got plenty of familiarity with the system and the personnel.

During his career, Seals has gone 340-of-553 passing (61.5%) for 3,464 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Like Swann, Seals is not much of a running threat.

Swann started the first five games of the season for the Commodores before missing last week’s game against Missouri due to injury.

In his considerable action this season, Swann has gone 93-of-173 passing (53.8%) for 1,290 yards, with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Florida also quite banged up

Ken Seals won’t be the only player thrust into a more prominent role as a result of injury on Saturday. A handful of Florida’s key players are also banged up.

Multiple starters, including running back Trevor Etienne, are not expected to play, On3’s Matt Zenitz has learned.

Etienne and left tackle Austin Barber are both doubtful, sources told Zenitz. In addition, center Kingsley Eguakun is not expected to play as he deals with an ankle injury.

Etienne is dealing with an upper-body injury, according to Gators Online’s Nick de la Torre, and his absence would be huge for the Florida offense. He leads the Gators with 358 rushing yards this year and has found the end zone twice. That could open the door for Montrell Johnson — who has a team-high three rushing touchdowns — to take over as the lead running back.

Johnson said he’s ready for that scenario.

“If that happens I’m preparing for it. It doesn’t matter who gets the ball. I’m preparing for it,” Johnson said, via Gators Online. “If Trevor can’t go I trust the coaches to put me in the right plays. If that means more carries, I’m ready for it.”