Austin Barber will miss Florida Gators game vs Florida State
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators will be without starting left tackle Austin Barber Saturday night when they host the No. 5 Florida State Seminoles. The redshirt sophomore offensive lineman was listed as questionable on the depth chart that was released on Wednesday. Barber arrived at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with his left arm in a sling.
Barber suffered an injury to his left arm near the end of the Gators’ game against the LSU Tigers two weekends ago in Baton Rouge. Barber missed Florida’s game against Vanderbilt with an ankle injury, something he continued to play through. He also has started playing with a brace on his left shoulder as he works through an upper-body injury.
“I think we’ve listed him as questionable and I would say that describes his current state,” Billy Napier said of the injury on Wednesday night. “You know, I think ultimately, the injury is one that doesn’t require surgery, it’s ultimately a pain tolerance deal. So, you know, he’s questionable, and I think ultimately, that’s the way we would describe his status right now.”
Who will start in place of Austin Barber?
The Gators have leaned on Barber this season. He has played 591 of the Gators’ 720 snaps on offense. On the depth chart released Wednesday, Barber was listed as the starting left tackle with Kamryn Waites as his backup. Damieon George was listed as the starting right tackle.
However, last weekend, George started in place of Barber at left tackle and Waites started at right tackle.
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The Gators will host No. 5 Florida State and both teams will start backup quarterbacks. It will be the first career start for redshirt freshman Max Brown and the first career road start for FSU quarterback Tate Rodemaker. Napier and the Gators are hoping The Swamp will play a role on Saturday.
“I think it’s one that — it’s important that our fans, Gator Nation as a whole, you know, they can have a significant impact on the game. I mean, we have one of the best if not the best venue in all of college football, and we play there Saturday night in a rivalry game, one that is historic. You know, I was talking to the players after practice today,” Napier said.
“You know, when I was growing up, this was the game, I used to watch this game. It’s humbling to be a part of and it’s something that I think each one of us, we have to have respect for that. But our fans can make a significant impact relative to how they can affect how Florida State operates on offense, especially with an inexperienced, backup quarterback. So, it’s been rowdy in there in the past, but we need it to be special and we’re going to need them to do their part Saturday night.”
Florida and Florida State will kickoff at 7:00 p.m.
