Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
Florida might be one of the hottest teams in the country heading into Saturday's SEC championship game against Alabama, but the Gators aren't exactly the healthiest team.
A close eye will be kept on running back/receiver Percy Harvin this week after he sprained his right ankle last weekend in the 45-15 win over Florida State. Florida coach Urban Meyer is hopeful that Harvin will be healthy enough to play by game time, but won't know for sure until later this week.
"It's day to day," Meyer said Sunday. "He certainly won't practice the first couple of days. But he's here and moving around a little bit, so we'll see what happens."
Harvin has scored a touchdown in 14 straight games going back to last season. He'll almost certainly try to play. The bigger question will likely be how much he plays and how effective he is.
Brandon James, better known for his kick-returning ability, could step in for Harvin, Meyer said. Another possibility would be Louis Murphy moving inside to Harvin's slot position. That would require freshman Deonte Thompson playing a bigger role outside.
"Obviously we've thought about it, because we've had to play through it (not having Harvin) a couple times before," Meyer said. "We have a plan. I just hope he's ready."
There are even bigger concerns for Florida in the defensive line, where tackle Matt Patchan is out for the rest of the season after it was learned that he has a torn MCL in left knee. Patchan had missed the last two games against The Citadel and Florida State.
Meyer said tackle Brandon Antwine is doubtful for the game after spraining his knee against the Seminoles. Antwine was starting for Lawrence Marsh, who wasn't 100 percent with a knee sprain, but did play some in the game.
Chris Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
