The SEC's opening weekend is filled with marquee games against strong Power Five opponents. It's probably a good thing, then, that Florida opted to open against UMass because the Gators will be without one of their best players.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, coach Jim McElwain said junior cornerback Jalen Tabor and redshirt sophomore tight end C'yontai Lewis are not involved with team activities and suspended for the opener against the Minutemen for violating team policy.

"Both C'yontai and Jalen will not be involved with the team or practice due to behavior that is not acceptable. By no means are these bad guys and yet consequences have been handed down. We will not look the other way when it comes to breaking of team policies. I want to echo what I said earlier, these are both fine young men who will learn and be stronger from their actions. They will also be suspended for the first game. There are life lessons in everything we do. We will be better because of it and no one person is bigger than the Florida Gators."

A source told CBS Sports that an altercation between Tabor and Lewis was the cause for the suspension.

The biggest loss is Tabor, who anchors one of the better secondaries in college football. A member of CBS Sports' Preseason All-America team, Tabor has played in 25 games in his career, starting 14, and led the team last year with 14 passes broken up. He previously missed a game in 2015 due to suspension.

Tabor was being paraded around this offseason by Florida as the face of the team. Last month, Tabor did some media rounds in New York City, which included an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America. Florida also made a big deal about Tabor changing his name to "Teez."

On Twitter, Tabor acknowledged the altercation and indicated that he accepts his punishment.

Lewis is an emerging receiving option for the Gators, having scored two touchdowns last season. He was expected to see his playing time in crease in 2016.