Jelani Jenkins is going to give it a shot.
Roughly a month after breaking a bone in his thumb during a game, Jenkins will attempt to play at linebacker for No. 10 Florida when it hosts No. 4 LSU on Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS).
“Having Jelani back is going to add a lot of value for us,” Gators defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said. “One, from an experience standpoint. Two, from an ability to cover.”
Jenkins is a red-shirt junior who has started each of the past three seasons. Florida used true freshman Antonio Morrison in his place against Tennessee and Kentucky.
Jenkins suffered the injury in the first half against Texas A&M on Sept. 8 and left the game. He has not practiced much since, but has worked in non-contact situations this week. He will play with a hard cast on his right arm.
“He’ll play in all situations,” coach Will Muschamp said. “We wouldn’t necessarily limit him.”
Hunter resurgent: Heading into the team's biggest test of the season, defensive tackle Omar Hunter might be playing the best football of his career.
In Florida’s last game, two weeks ago, he had eight tackles against Kentucky and earned SEC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week honor.
“I honestly feel like I’ve been playing steady from the middle of last season to where I am now,” he said. “It’s been about the same. The only difference now is I’ve been making a few more plays. I’ve been capitalizing.”
Hunter, a red-shirt senior, has been at Florida since 2008, but was not a full-time starter the past two seasons. He started every game this season and is third on the team with 17 tackles.
Still steaming: The thought of losing 41-11 at LSU a year ago remains a burning frustration for the Gators.
Defensive end Lerentee McCray has yet to let go of the sick feeling he experienced .
“Everything just went wrong,” he said.
“They put up 41 points on the scoreboard. … That ain’t gonna happen this year.”
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