Jelani Jenkins, Ronald Powell out

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The No. 18 Florida Gators have lost one starting linebacker for a month and another for possibly the season.

Gators coach Will Muschamp said weakside linebacker Jelani Jenkins underwent surgery Monday to repair a fractured thumb and will be out for the next four weeks, while rush linebacker Ronald Powell suffered a setback during his ACL rehab and likely will redshirt.

The 6-foot, 237-pound Jenkins suffered the injury during Florida's 20-17 victory at Texas A&M on Saturday. Muschamp said the redshirt junior playing against No. 23 Tennessee with a cast on his hand is not an option.

Jenkins has five tackles through two games and was the Gators' third-leading tackler in 2010 (75).

Powell, who led Florida in sacks last season with six, underwent surgery April 23 to repair a torn ACL and had been ahead of schedule with his rehab, but recently he began experiencing swelling in his left knee.

Muschamp said Powell will be evaluated by team doctors next week but also said he spoke with Powell and Powell's family and it's likely that Powell will be redshirted.

Powell, a 6-4, 244-pound junior, suffered the injury during UF's spring game April 7.

"It is a setback, but as he said before, 'I'm going to be fine,'" Muschamp said.

Meanwhile, running back Mike Gillislee "should be fine" after sustaining a groin injury in the first half Saturday, Mushchamp said.

The senior has 231 yards rushing in two games and four of the team's five touchdowns. So his groin injury could have been a significant setback for the Gators.

Gillislee's injury came on a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

"They said he's gonna practice. ... We probably won't rep him 40 times today, but we'll make sure he's ready to go for Saturday," Muschamp said. "We feel like he's fully available."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Michael DiRocco | email

Reporter, GatorNation

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• Reporter for GatorNation
• Covers Florida Gators sports and recruiting
• Joined ESPN in 2011