Report Claims Florida QB John Brantley Was in Considerable Pain Against LSU

Florida quartberack John Brantley apparently played in considerably more pain than he let on to in Saturday's loss to LSU, according to a report by ESPN.com.

The report claims Brantley battled pain in his throwing shoulder, as well as the thumb on his throwing hand, and in his ribs.

While Brantley and Florida coach Urban Meyer downplayed the severity of Brantley's injuries, he apparently was in considerable pain and saw limited action in practice, the report noted.

According to the source that spoke with ESPN.com, Brantley has hairline fractures in four ribs and wore a reinforced protective vest for the game. Meyer reportedly classified Brantley's rib injuries simply as "damage" to the ribs, and that Brantley's thumb malady was a "sprain," although the source told ESPN.com that there also is a small fracture in the thumb, as well.

Brantley was unable to throw Thursday and Friday because the shoulder problem crept up after he began attempting to overcompensate for the rib injury earlier in the week, the report said.

Florida's next game is Saturday against Mississippi State, and Brantley is expected to start again, the report stated. Against LSU, he completed 16 of 24 passes for 154 yards, one interception and was sacked three times.

"There was never any doubt that I was going to play," Brantley told reporters after the game. "I knew since Monday or Sunday I was. They're [ribs] just a little banged up. Nothing too serious. Nothing you can't play through." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

climbing equipment pocket bike parts ski japan boat manufacturers gym bags