Gators Lose 4 Players Before Outback Bowl

GAINESVILLE (CBS4) - The Florida Gators continued their bowl preparations Monday, but the team will be without its best player when they take the field to battle Penn State.

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins had surgery on his right shoulder after the Florida State loss and he will not play in the Outback Bowl, according to the Palm Beach Post. Jenkins is a junior and is considered a first-round NFL draft pick if he leaves after this season.

But, with an NFL work stoppage looming on the horizon, Jenkins will have to decide whether to take a chance on the NFL getting a labor deal done or go back to UF.

Also missing from the Outback Bowl roster for Florida will be right guard Maurice Hurt, defensive tackle Lawrence Marsh, and defensive tackle Terron Sanders.

But, Florida running back Jeff Demps is beginning to get healthy after a stress reaction in his foot in September, according to the Gainesville Sun. Demps practiced in pads Monday and said he felt around 85 percent.