When UF's season began, the offensive line looked to be one of the strongest units on the field.
You wouldn't know it four games into the season.
Multiple injuries to the line means quarterback Tim Tebow is being hurried and pressured more than usual with fewer defenders rushing him, causing overthrown and underthrown passes and short-yardage scrambles.
Fifth-year senior left guard Jim Tartt reinjured his shoulder in No. 12 UF's 31-30 loss to Mississippi on Saturday, and Gators coach Urban Meyer lists him as "very questionable, probably doubtful" for this weekend's game at Arkansas. Tartt has had four total shoulder surgeries, three of them on one shoulder.
"It's just wear and tear," Meyer said. "Poor guy, he's as tough a human being as there is, but he's had three surgeries on one shoulder. Jim's good for a week, and then he's off for a week."
After missing the first two games of the season, Tartt started in the Gators' matchup at Tennessee on Sept. 20 and against Mississippi. Meyer had counted on the team captain to be available when Southeastern Conference play began, but now Meyer realizes he might not be able to rely on Tartt.
"I hate to say that, but there's probably some truth to that," Meyer said.
Tartt is not done for the season, Meyer said.
Backup left guard Marcus Gilbert sprained his ankle on Saturday and is also "very questionable" for the Arkansas game, and Maurice Hurt is still out with shoulder and neck stingers. What's left is a thinner offensive line than Meyer would like.
"The offensive line is a strength of our program," Meyer said. "When you take three out, it's difficult. …That's why you recruit. Get a little depth going."
The Gators have sophomore Carl Johnson, redshirt freshman James Wilson and even Ron Wilson ready to step in on offensive line. True freshman David Young would be next on the list, but using him would require taking away what is looking like a redshirt season for him.
Meyer even discussed moving true freshman Matt Patchan, who has been playing extensively on the defensive line, to the other side of the ball, but Meyer admitted the team probably could not afford to do that.
Still, in the Mississippi game, sophomore right guard Mike Pouncey liked what he saw from Gilbert and Johnson.
"Gilbert came in and filled the role," Pouncey said. "He got hurt, Carl Johnson came in. He finally got his chance to step on the field. He played real good."
Comparing Tartt and the others to his backups is not a matter of talent, Meyer said, but something less tangible.
"There's a big difference as far leadership, experience, which is awful high in this league," Meyer said.
