Tebow status likely game-time decision

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Whether Tim Tebow will play Saturday against LSU probably won't be determined until game time, Florida coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday.

Meyer said any announcement about Tebow's playing status wouldn't come "until the foot hits the ball down there."

Meyer said he expects Tebow to practice for the second straight day Wednesday but that the Gators' star quarterback has still not been cleared for contact after suffering a concussion Sept. 26 against Kentucky.

"I think that this will be a decision not made today," Meyer said. "After yesterday's practice, I was told to game plan with the intent that there's a chance that Tim could play. That's all I know. All the other stuff ... we'll make a decision as we get closer.

"Is it an advantage for us not telling? I'm not worried about that right now," he added.

Meyer said there would be ongoing evaluation and communication up until the 8 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday.

Meyer said he would err on the side of caution on whether to play Tebow even if the quarterback gets medical clearance. Tebow underwent more testing Wednesday morning.

Meyer also said the crowd noise at Tiger Stadium could be a factor.

"If the noise bothers Tim, he won't be in the game. It means he's still symptomatic [from his concussion]," Meyer said.

If Tebow can't play, sophomore John Brantley will start at quarterback for the Gators.

Current Washington Redskins and former Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, who had a concussion his senior season with the Warriors, cautioned Tebow to alter his style until fully recovered.

"The bottom line is he's going to be susceptible until he's fully healed," Brennan said. "I would tell Tim, you know your body. Trust your body. Don't try to be the Tim Tebow of old. Don't be afraid to step out of bounds. Don't be afraid to slide. Who are they playing? LSU? Seriously. Wow. Well, I'd just tell him as hard as it is, don't try to run over people."

Chris Low covers the SEC for ESPN.com. Information from ESPN's Joe Schad contributed to this report.

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• ESPN.com SEC blogger
• Joined ESPN.com in 2007
• Wrote for The (Nashville) Tennessean