[Tuck4Bama]

Florida's experienced offensive line took a blow when it was discovered senior offensive lineman Phil Trautwein suffered a stress fracture in his foot.Trautwein, a preseason first-team All-Southeastern Conference left tackle, will miss at least the season opener Saturday against Western Kentucky and possibly more time depending on the severity of the injury.

"We'll know more here the next couple of days, the length of it," Florida coach Urban Meyer said following Wednesday's practice. "But that's what they tell me. He's in a cast."

Stress fractures typically take two-to-three months to heal. Trautwein, a fourth-year senior, has a medical redshirt year available, though Meyer said it was premature to speculate whether it would need to be used. "We're not at that point," Meyer said.

The 6-foot-6, 298-pound Trautwein had been hobbled early in camp with a minor ankle sprain. Trautwein rested the ankle when he sat out practice 12 days ago. Meyer said Trautwein had been playing through the injury for the first two weeks of drills.

Asked if the injuries could be related, Meyer said, "No, it's his third stress fracture, and I think it might be in the same foot since he's been here. He had one in the spring ... I found out last night. I thought it was a sprained ankle. I nearly fell out of my chair."


Gatorsports.com