GatorZone.com senior writer Chris Harry contributed to this report.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The images are stunning in their contrast.
In one, Gators linebacker Antonio Morrison squirms in pain eight months ago during the Birmingham Bowl, down on the turf at Legion Field with a serious injury. In the other, Morrison races around the practice field Tuesday afternoon – a brace protecting his left knee – preparing to face New Mexico State in the season opener Saturday.
The latter seems impossible considering the time frame.
Paul Silvestri, associate director of sports health for the Florida football team, agrees Morrison's speedy return to the field is highly unusual. But with a front-row seat the past eight months, Silvestri is not amazed like most were when Florida head coach Jim McElwain announced Monday that Morrison would play Saturday.
Silvestri watched as Morrison often arrived to the training room at 5:30 each morning and stayed until 7 p.m. Other than for a two-hour break for lunch, and maybe a short nap in the locker room, Morrison rehabbed his knee.
“He's a different breed,'' Silvestri said. “He heals really well, really fast. He accepted it, then attacked it. There was never a 'woe is me.' I'm telling you, I don't know that I'll ever come across another guy who will do what he did.
“From the mental side, the physical side, there was just never a time where we had to back down.”
From the day the Gators reported for preseason camp on Aug. 6, McElwain voiced cautious optimism that Morrison might return sooner than expected. And from the day camp started, Morrison was on the field, forcing his way into more and more contact drills to test his knee as coaches and medical staff observed him closely.
“I didn't feel any pain. I didn't feel slower. I actually felt faster, more agile and I put on about 15 pounds,'' he said. “I felt good. I just didn't know how I was going to hold up for two-and-days and camp. But I never had any pain at all.”
Now, other than for the knee brace, no one would know that eight months ago Morrison's future with the Gators appeared in jeopardy.
It was a different story in January. Rather than perhaps declare for the NFL Draft following the bowl game – Morrison had his best season, finishing with a team-high 101 tackles to earn second-team All-SEC honors – the physical middle linebacker tackled the challenge of rehab with a vengeance.
Others may be shocked at his return, but not him.
“I don't think it's a miracle,'' Morrison said after Tuesday's practice. “I put the work in. I don't like being injured. I was going to do what I had to do to get back. I have a great doctor and training staff, the best in the country. I just worked hard and looked forward to playing.”
McElwain watched the Birmingham Bowl from a booth in the press box as interim coach D.J. Durkin led Florida to a 28-20 victory over East Carolina. Morrison was hurt in the second quarter, casting gloom over the Gators in the second quarter when his screams were picked up by ESPN microphones on TV.
Morrison was carted off the field after a delay.
Three hours later, as the Gators celebrated a winning season in the joyous locker room, Morrison received handshakes and hugs from his teammates with his injured knee wrapped.
McElwain then began to see why Morrison is one of Florida's most respected players.
“What normally was a 10- to 12-month recovery, he did in six months,” McElwain said. “Really proud of what he's done.”
McElwain said the plan for Morrison on Saturday is to keep his snaps at a reasonable level.
“We obviously won't be one of those deals where he's playing 80 or 90 plays,'' McElwain said. “At the same time, he's prepared himself and he's ready to play, and we'll have a plan for that.”
Morrison was immediately surrounded by a large throng of reporters following Tuesday's practice.
Nearby, teammate Jonathan Bullard smiled a look of disbelief when asked about Morrison's quick recovery.
“It's unbelievable,'' Bullard said. “He's our spokesman on defense. He speaks, we listen. He calls the plays, we listen. It's great to have him back.”
By listening to Morrison's teammates talk about him, the 6-foot-1, 229-pound product of Bolingbrook (Ill.) High looks as good as ever.
“Our rehab overlapped a little bit,'' said tight end Jake McGee, who missed last season with a broken leg. “That man works hard. That's someone who loves the game of football and loves his team. I'm sure on Saturday you will see the same Antonio Morrison that you saw last season.”
This isn't the first time Morrison has endured an injury. As a senior in high school, he missed the state championship game with a broken bone in his foot.
He enrolled at Florida in January 2012 and played as a freshman, providing a key moment in Florida's victory at Florida State when he drilled Seminoles quarterback EJ Manuel and recovered Manuel's fumble to turn the momentum in Florida's favor.
Eight months after lying injured on that cold turf at Legion Field, Morrison is back.
Everyone else can make a fuss about it, but he is ready to get to work.
“I didn't think it was tough,'' he said. “I never got in a dark place. Injuries are part of the game. You guys are making a bigger deal out of it than it is. I've been through tougher things in my life. This just football. Part of the game.”
