[jwplayer RjcJQ9no]
One of the most prolific pass-catchers in the nation, tight end Kyle Pitts, will be out for the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday with a persistent injury, Florida Gators coach Dan Mullen told the SEC Network on Saturday. He could also be out for the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores the following week.
Here is what Mullen had to say about his star tight end’s current plight.
“It’s going to be a multi-week deal for him. Hopefully we’ll get him back later on down the road this season. The injury that he got in that hit last week is a little more complicated than you would originally think.”
His absence opens up a massive vacuum in Florida’s offensive scheme and the Gators will need its receivers and other tight ends to step up in his place. Mullen said the following last Monday.
“We’ve always had guys who have that next-man-up mentality. Kyle is a great player. They know it. We feature him. You look, he goes out and Kemore has a great game. Zip has a catch and a long run afterward. He did a great job blocking. They executed really well out there on the field.
To me, those guys have just got to come up and we’re going to run our offense. It’s their opportunity to go make plays, their opportunity to go show what they can do out there on the field.”
The Gators are heavy favorites against the Razorbacks, but they cannot get complacent, especially with one of the best tight ends in the nation sitting out.
Five things to watch on Saturday when Florida hosts Arkansas
How will the Gators prevail against Arkansas? Here’s three keys on offense
Three keys on defense for the Gators against the Arkansas Razorbacks
[lawrence-related id=27990,27928,27907,27887,27885]