Nobody knows exactly what happened.
Not coach Jim McElwain, defensive line coach Chris Rumph or even Bryan Cox can explain how Cox's hand ended up in a club-like cast reminiscent of a medieval mace, minus the spikes.
“I don’t really have an exact explanation,” Cox said. “It was just some freak accident.”
It happened during warmups prior to Florida’s game against Missouri. Following a routine drill, the redshirt senior defensive end felt a sharp pain in his left hand and approached Rumph.
“Coach, I need someone to go in for me,” Cox told him.
Rumph obliged, not thinking much of what appeared to be a minor injury.