Tyrie Cleveland sustained a high ankle sprain in the 21st-ranked Gators’ 38-24 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday. The Gators expect to be without his presence for Saturday’s home game against LSU this weekend, head coach Jim McElwain said Monday.
“He’s in a boot right now,” McElwain said. “You know, the dreaded not normal ankle [sprain], but high ankle.”
Cleveland acknowledged the ailment in a Twitter post on Sunday.
I'm good 🙏🏾 just bang up , 🐊 got the best trainers in the business ✊🏾 #ThankYouAll
— Tyrie Cleveland (@Tyrie_1) October 1, 2017
Cleveland is by far the biggest threat in Florida’s struggling passing game. Leading the team in both catches and receiving yards, Cleveland sits four catches among the next-closest Gator (Kadarius Toney) but stands 219 yards ahead of him. Cleveland has hauled in 15 grabs for 326 yards and two touchdowns, and his 21.73-yard per reception average places him 14th nationally. He was famously on the receiving end of Feleipe Franks‘s Hail Mary to beat Tennessee and recorded a 45-yard touchdown catch in the win over Kentucky. Cleveland two passes for 67 yards in the win over Vanderbilt.
Florida will also be without starting quarterback Luke Del Rio, who was lost for the season against Vanderbilt due to a shoulder injury.