Billy Napier lists multiple injury updates for Florida

As Florida enters a second fall camp under head coach Billy Napier, the bill of health for the Gators is looking pretty solid, with only a handful of players sidelined as camp gets underway. Napier shared a quick update on their status on Thursday.

Napier listed a pair players who will be sidelined for a period with somewhat significant injuries: offensive lineman Lyndell Hudson and linebacker Shemar James. Along with them, wideouts Eugene “Tre” Wilson III and Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman are out but expected to be back rather soon.

“Lyndell Hudson was in a car accident, he’s in concussion protocol. Shemar James, lower body injury, banged up a little bit yesterday, that’s kind of day-to-day, to-be-determined. And then we have — we anticipate getting a couple of these soft tissue guys back. Tre Wilson, Thai Bowman,” Napier said.

Chiaokhiao-Bowman played in all 12 games for Florida in 2022, making seven receptions in his first year at Florida, and figures to be part of the pass-catching rotation in 2023. Wilson, a five-star recruit and true freshman, is also expected to break into that group.

Hudson, an offensive line transfer from Florida International, has a chance to earn reps on the Gators offensive line and James was likely penciled in as a rotational linebacker at least, if not a starter by the time fall camp ends. When those two are back and available remains to be seen.

All in all, though, Napier is happy with the health of his team as camp starts to get going.

“And outside of that I think we’re in pretty good shape,” Napier said.

James is getting further evaluation on his injury

According to Sports Illustrated’s Zach Goodall, James is being evaluated for a leg injury suffered in Wednesday’s practice, according to multiple sources.

Florida coach Billy Napier addressed the media on Thursday afternoon and provided an update on James’ status, confirming that he suffered a lower body injury and that he is currently “day to day.”

James is expected to be a major contributor for Florida this fall.

He is one of a handful of linebackers returning on the interior who had some experience, having played in all 13 games a year ago as a true freshman, making four starts.

The talented prospect recorded 47 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery last season and is widely viewed as one of the team’s best up-and-coming players.

He is expected to compete for a starting job with the likes of transfer Teradja Mitchell and Derek Wingo.