Billy Napier provides update on Montrell Johnson injury, timeline

Just a few weeks before the season opener against Miami, Florida running back Montrell Johnson went down with a knee injury. He underwent a scope as a result, and Billy Napier said he’d initially be week-to-week.

That timeline stayed the same when Napier met with reporters on Wednesday. He said Johnson is coming along well after suffering the injury last week and undergoing an arthroscopic procedure as a result, and the staff will base his return on his progression.

So far, according to Napier, Johnson is bouncing back well. The staff isn’t going to rush him back, though.

“Montrell’s doing great, first of all. … He’s week to week,” Napier said. “He’s already on his feet, he’s made significant progress. It will be one week at a time. We’re gonna go at his pace. But we do anticipate it being a very minor issue.

“When we get him back is to be determined. But I think he’s in a good place relative to maybe other situations like that that have been out there in the past.”

Johnson led Florida in rushing each of the last two seasons, including 817 yards and five touchdowns a year ago, and appears poised for another big year in 2024. He split carries with Trevor Etienne in 2022 and 2023, but with Etienne now at Georgia, could be in line for more work as a junior.

Billy Napier: Younger Florida RBs getting meaningful reps

Florida was already preparing for some new looks at running back after Etienne’s departure, and that could help with a plan if Johnson has to miss more time than expected. That includes sophomore Treyaun Webb, who On3 and Gators Online’s Zach Abolverdi said could be the “next guy up” for the Gators if necessary.

Napier specifically pointed to Webb as someone who could step in, but also noted the reps the younger running backs are getting. That will be part of the process as Florida works through Montrell Johnson’s injury.

“We’ve got four good players, Treyaun being the one player who’s had some significant time,” Napier said. “He played quite a bit last year, at times. And the other three are inexperienced, but have ability. It’s almost a blessing in disguise, to some degree, that they’re getting meaningful reps. Their workload – and look, playing running back is not just running with the ball. I think there’s a key protection element to that that’s extremely important. So we put an emphasis on that. And then, the ability to do your job. Not only running the ball, catching the ball, ball security. And in our system, the running back is a critical piece of the puzzle.

“All those guys were here in January – the two rookies, I would say – and then, Ja’Kobi [Jackson] and Treyaun have been with us for a year. It’s a great opportunity for those guys, and let me tell you, they’re embracing it and they’re working extremely hard.”