Injured Eric Singleton likely to miss Week 2, and Florida is hopeful it won't be longer

Eric Singleton's nasty-looking ankle injury may not be as serious as it looked, but don't expect to see the wide receiver in action come Week 2 when the Florida Gators take on Campbell.

Jon Sumrall said that Singleton is "not probable" and did not add any further information about the receiver's potential availability for the SEC opener against Auburn on Sept. 19.

“I would say right now Eric Singleton is highly questionable for this week,” Sumrall said. “He’s definitely not probable as of right now.”

Florida WR Eric Singleton is not expected to play Saturday vs. Campbell

Even if Singleton was questionable, there isn't a reason to play him against a team that the Gators should dispatch within the first 15–20 minutes. Singleton's role in the offense is an important one and Florida hopes that his status will improve before the beginning of the SEC schedule. 

Singleton suffered the injury in the first quarter while providing the block on a WR screen that helped spring Vernell Brown II for a 49-yard touchdown. He was unintentionally clipped by a Florida Atlantic defender trying to make a diving tackle.

Even in Singleton's absence, Florida's passing game was buzzing behind Aaron Philo, who threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Brown had six catches for 117 yards and TJ Abrams had the longest play of the game — a 63-yard catch that showed off Philo's touch and accuracy on the deep ball. When Philo exited the game, Tramell Jones got some good work in, going 4-for-5 passing with 68 yards and a touchdown.

"What we do offensively, what our scheme presents is it threatens every blade of grass, vertically and horizontally. There could be a run play on one side and a pass play on the other, and it's like which one? You want to defend them both? There's just a lot to manage for a defensive play caller," Sumrall added.

Seeing Philo's control of Buster Faulkner's offense should make fans imagine how much better the attack will be when Singleton returns to the lineup. Before going to Auburn last season, Singleton spent his first two years at Georgia Tech and had 104 catches for 1,468 yards in his two campaigns as a Yellow Jacket. Faulkner also won't hesitate to use Singleton in the run game. He had 21 carries for 131 yards in his sophomore season.

Sumrall and Faulkner should be able to empty the bench on Saturday, but if there's a belief that Singleton might not be available for a few weeks, you could see another transfer take his spot in the starting lineup. Bailey Stockton, one of the many players from Georgia Tech that followed Faulkner to Gainesville, caught a touchdown in Week 1 is an option. Micah Mays Jr., who came from Wake Forest, could also get the call. Both will want to impress on Saturday to let Sumrall and Faulkner know that they can be trusted in an elevated role.

However, everyone wants to see Singleton back on the field as soon as possible.

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