Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison’s knee injury remains a concern for the Gators ahead of fall practice.

Speaking to the media Tuesday at the SEC meetings in Destin, Fla., coach Jim McElwain explained that Morrison is likely to miss time during fall camp.

A second-team All-SEC linebacker last season, Morrison injured his knee during the Birmingham Bowl, though the exact nature of the injury never has been disclosed. The fact that the team has offered so few details on Morrison has led to increasing speculation that Morrison may miss at least a portion of the 2015 season.

“Antonio, a little more unsure on that, but you know I will never put a guy out there that’s not ready,” McElwain said, according to 247Sports.

Morrison is a key defensive leader, and the Gators are thin at linebacker. Jarrad Davis, recently recovered from his own knee injury, could slide into Morrison’s position at middle linebacker to start fall camp. Players like Alex Anzalone, Daniel McMillian and Jeremi Powell will serve even more important roles if the injury costs Morrison game time.

The good news: projected starting center Trip Thurman has returned to lifting weights with the team after missing all of spring practice with a nagging shoulder injury. He could be Florida’s lone offensive linemen with starting experience.

“Greatly needed for us obviously at the standpoint of really felt that the spring off on his shoulder was something that, he’s kind of a little bit of a one-hit-away guy,” McElwain said, according to 247Sports. “So we’re taking what we can off him, I think it’s better and just trying to get him strengthened.”

The coach also said defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. is close to returning after missing spring practice due to hip surgery.