GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida has been down to eight scholarship players during the team's practices over the holiday break and ahead of Saturday's SEC opener at home against Vanderbilt.

Guard Jalen Hudson has been sidelined with a virus, forward Chase Johnson is still out with a concussion and center Gorjok Gak has been out with lingering swelling in his knee.

"I haven't been a part of something like this, it's nuts how many guys we've got banged up," coach Mike White said. "I know they're just as frustrated and their teammates are. We'd like to get to full strength at some point."

Florida is also without scholarship big men John Egbunu and Isaiah Stokes. Neither have played yet this season, projected to return from ACL tears in late January.

It has left a Gators team that has been quite up and down this year in a tight spot.

"We've got a bunch of guys banged up or sick," White said. "That said, we've gotten some stuff done. I like the renewed energy level and focus that those eight scholarship players have come back. We've worked hard, had a good attitude.

"Hopefully we can get some of this offensive mojo back here soon."

Hudson, of course, is a big part of that. Florida's leading scorer at 18.2 points per game, he's been one of the few players that hasn't hit a real shooting slump.

He's currently shooting 41 percent from 3-point range and 49 percent from the floor. If he can't go, it could severely hamper UF's offense as the Gators try to get off to a winning start to league play.

Hudson will be a game-time decision based on how he feels in shoot-around on Saturday, White said.

"He's I guess got some type of virus from what I understand," White said. "I'm not sure he'll go today.

"Chase is still dealing with the concussion stuff. Gak has not practiced since we left with the swollen knee."

Florida's SEC opener against Vanderbilt is set to tip off at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 on Saturday.

Be sure to enjoy VIP access to GatorBait.net with our Free 7-Day Trial promotional offer. Stay up to date with all the latest breaking recruiting news.

---------------

For more news on Florida sports and recruiting, follow GatorBait247 on Twitter or sign up for our FREE daily Gators newsletter!

Contact Thomas Goldkamp by 247Sports' personal messaging system or on Twitter at @ThomasGoldkamp.