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Broken Thumb Could Sideline Safety Wright

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2007

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida FS Major Wright is 'very questionable' for Saturday's game against Georgia with a broken right thumb, Coach Urban Meyer said Sunday.

During a teleconference Sunday, Meyer said Wright may need surgery to repair the thumb he broke during a 45-37 win at Kentucky on Saturday. Wright, a freshman who won the job late last month, probably wouldn't play if he needs surgery, Meyer said.

If Wright can't play, senior Kyle Jackson and sophomore Dorian Munroe will compete for the job during practice this week. Jackson began the season as the starting free safety.

Even if Wright doesn't need surgery, Meyer worried about letting him play with a thick cast on his hand. The free safety typically is the last line of defense, Meyer said, and he must be able to wrap up ball carriers.

Wright isn't the only banged-up Gator. QB Tim Tebow has a bruised right (non-throwing) shoulder that could limit him in practice this week, and OT Carlton Medder (heel), CB Wondy Pierre-Louis (shoulder) and DT Clint McMillan (shoulder) also could be slowed.

Meyer said that to keep Tebow healthy, coaches may have to train the sophomore to dump the ball off or flip to a back when a teammate could gain an equal amount of yardage on a given play.

'We've got to be careful, continue to coach him up, and if a teammate is there, just manage the game,' Meyer said. 'If you can flip it for a 5-yard gain or Tebow take it for a 5-, 6-, 7-yard gain, it's Tebow's persona to just take it. So that is a concern.'

WHAT WENT RIGHT: Florida used several young defensive linemen against Kentucky, and the Gators piled up six sacks. Meyer said he had planned to play freshmen Torrey Davis and Lawrence Marsh more anyway, but McMillan's shoulder injury forced them into the game.

Meyer said he saw Davis in the backfield several times. Meanwhile, freshman DE Justin Trattou had his first career sack late in the first half.

WHAT WENT WRONG: The Gators gave up 415 passing yards to the Wildcats, and Meyer said that while the sacks represented progress, Florida needs to consistently pressure the quarterback to protect its injury-riddled secondary.

Also, while the young defensive linemen played well on passing downs, they got blown off the ball on several running plays. Georgia, which regularly runs the ball between the tackles, may try to exploit that weakness.

Andy Staples

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