Florida football just dropped its updated SEC availability report, and kicker Patrick Durkin is now on it, listed as probable for the Week 3 SEC opener against Auburn. This is a kicker who followed Jon Sumrall from Tulane, earned American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 2025, and has been absolutely money so far this season. He is hitting both his field goal attempts and going perfect 15-of-15 on extra-point tries after just two games. That kind of early season reliability is huge, and the thought of him not being 100% for an SEC clash is a massive concern.
The Kicker Conundrum and the “Smart Tough” Approach
Adding Durkin brings the total number of Gators with health concerns to three for this critical early-season matchup. “Probable” still means uncertainty for a specialist who has been flawless. Durkin’s track record speaks for itself; he is a legitimate weapon. If he cannot go, junior Liam Padron, a Texas A&M transfer, will step in. While Padron is capable, you never want to break in a new kicker under the bright lights of an SEC opener when your starter has been this good. Coach Sumrall’s philosophy is “smart tough, not dumb tough,” and he is clearly serious about it, not wanting to rush anyone back before they are genuinely ready. It is a calculated risk for a special teams player who has been so consistent.
Key Players Still Questionable, Sumrall Wants Them Right
Beyond the kicking situation, wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. and defensive lineman Emmanuel Oyebadejo, both from Wednesday’s initial report, remain listed as questionable. Sumrall updated their status, saying, “Both are out of the boot. They were in the boot through Saturday. They’re both out of the boot.” That is a positive step. However, he also stressed that “Both were out of practice today. Both were very, very, very limited today in practice, but were there.” Being “very, very, very limited” does not exactly inspire confidence for a full game contribution, does it? Sumrall is playing the long game here, emphasizing he will know more “through the week.” He is prioritizing player health, stating, “If they’re not available, if they’re not ready to play the right way for themselves, it’s going to hurt the team. Also, what I don’t want to do is put them back in the fray and do something that sets them back further.” No players are listed as out, which is good, but three key guys with health question marks for Week 3? That is far from ideal.
This Week 3 SEC opener against Auburn is a huge test, and these availability updates add another layer of drama. The team needs its best players, especially a perfect kicker and key offensive and defensive pieces, to be ready to roll. We will be watching closely to see who takes the field when it counts, and how Sumrall navigates these early season health challenges.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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