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When Florida Firecats lineman Comone Fisher limped into the locker room before halftime of Saturday night's game, the 6-foot-2, 290-pound veteran's mother was already there waiting to evaluate his injured left foot.

"I think it's broken," said Mary Fisher, a registered nurse who resides 1,100 miles away, in town with family to watch her son catch passes and rush quarterbacks.

Now it's official. Mom was right.

The Firecats (12-3) learned Monday that Fisher, a mainstay for the South Division champions, would indeed miss the rest of their season, sidelined by a fracture of the fifth metatarsal, at the base of the small toe.

It's a big loss, to be sure, for the Firecats, who rely on the tight end/defensive end as much for leadership as for production. He is one of the team's most popular players, capable of providing timely wit one moment and invaluable wisdom the next.

Now his role has changed. Fisher is the franchise leader in career sacks and has made a collection of highlight-reel grabs over the years, but the Houston native must now focus his attention on being Germain Arena's biggest cheerleader.

So that's what he'll do.

"That's just life," Fisher said. "The sun will shine again."

Fisher

It is the first significant injury for Fisher in more than a decade. He suffered a torn ACL in a scrimmage prior to his senior year of high school, when he was one of the Lone Star State's top tight end recruits. The setback undoubtedly cost him scholarship offers, but he became a force for Ole Miss on the defensive line.

The timing of this injury, like the last one, couldn't have been much worse. Florida has homefield advantage throughout the American Conference playoffs, sewing up the No. 1 seed — and the South Division title — with Saturday's 62-56 defeat of Louisville.

Fisher was injured on the first play of the Louisville game. He got tangled up with an offensive lineman while rushing the quarterback and came out after the first series, eventually heading to the locker room late in the second quarter.

Mom was waiting.

"She's a straight shooter," Fisher said.

It was bad news for everyone, given the season Fisher was enjoying. He bagged Cutters Catch of the Week honors after the Albany win July 15 — no other lineman has received the honor — and his five sacks are tops on the team.

But Fisher sees a silver lining. He hopes his injury will open the door for rookie Alfred Peterson, an improving lineman who will have to help ease the blow. Fisher spoke with him Monday, reminding Peterson of his time to shine.

Rest assured, though, that Fisher's absence will be felt. Florida will have a big void to fill, both on the field and in their hearts.

"I'm hurting right now," said Levy Brown, a defensive specialist for Florida. "Everybody keys off of 'Fish'."