Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin indicated the door may be open for a reduced suspension for linebacker Antonio Morrison.
One of the Gators' top defenders, Morrison was suspended for two games last weekend by coach Will Muschamp after his second arrest in five weeks. Morrison was arrested for barking at a police dog, but the charge -- interfering with a police animal -- was quickly dropped by state attorney Bill Cervone, and both Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell and Cervone indicated the arrest should not have been made.
As it stands, the suspension would sideline Morrison for games against Toledo and Miami. Gatorsports.com reported some interesting commentary from Durkin, however.
"There's more information that's come out," said Durkin, clearly referring to the charge being dropped. "And that's for Coach (Will) Muschamp to decide. We love Antonio and we sure can't wait to have him out there whenever that is."
If Muschamp did reduce Morrison's suspension to one game, criticism that he was reinstating Morrison only because of the strength of UF's second opponent (Miami) would surely follow.
Morrison is among Florida's top prospects on the defensive side of the ball, even though he was merely a freshman last year.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.