Matt Jones injury: Florida's starting RB out for 2013 season with torn meniscus

Florida running back Matt Jones will miss the remainder of the 2013 season after sustaining a torn meniscus against LSU, Will Muschamp announced on Monday.

Jones left Florida's 17-6 loss to the Tigers after being in on just six plays, and did not return with a reported knee injury. Muschamp told reporters on Saturday that they hoped Jones's injury would be minor — clearly, it was anything but.

"I hate it for Matt. He's a great young man, and to go what he's been through this fall" — Jones missed Florida's fall camp after a viral infection left him hospitalized in July and recovering in August, and missed Florida's season opener against Toledo — "to have this setback is just disheartening for all of us," Muschamp said on Monday.

Muschamp told reporters in his weekly press conference that Jones was undergoing knee surgery on Monday.

Florida will turn to Mack Brown, its leading rusher through six games, and true freshman Kelvin Taylor, who had 52 yards against the Tigers, at running back. Muschamp also mentioned Mark Herndon and Valdez Showers as players who could help out at running back.

But Jones is Florida's biggest back, and the best of Florida's running backs in pass protection, and his injury is as seismic as any to Florida's offense could be at this point.

Andy Hutchins is Alligator Army's managing editor. Follow Alligator Army on Twitter and Facebook.

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