Jones will make fast return to lineup

GAINESVILLE — Once Gators RB Matt Jones is ready, coaches do not plan to ease him back into the lineup.

Out since lateJuly with a viral infection, Jones soon will return to practice in full pads and should be available for nextweek’s visit to Miami.

Asked Tuesday how much time Jones will need to re-establish himself, offensive coordinator Brent Pease replied, “Zero.”

Jones, a sophomore from Tampa, entered the offseason expected to be the team’s featured back. Coaches said they are comfortable with reserves Mack

Brown, Mark Herndon and Valdez Showers running the ball. But the 6-foot-2, 226-pound Jones “gives you a little added dimension with his size and power,” head coach Will Muschamp said.

Florida’s run game benefited significantly from Monday’s return of junior FB Hunter Joyer, who missed the past two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Pease said Joyer was in shape and showed no drop-off in performance. But Joyer will have to be watched closely, given that he plays such a physically demanding position.

“I think we’ve kept his reps downto a minimum,” Pease said. “You’ve got to kind of watch those guys because they take a lot of hits, especially with what they do.”

McDonald’s All-American F Chris Walker did not academically qualify to enroll at Florida and has until December to become eligible.

Next game: vs. Toledo, Saturday at 12:21 p.m., SFL