Mike Norvell provides latest injury update on Amari Gainer, Jared Verse, Robert Scott

With Florida State preparing to face NC State on Saturday, coach Mike Norvell provided a positive injury update on a couple of key defensive players. First, Norvell was asked about linebacker Amari Gainer, who missed the past four games after suffering a lower leg injury in the season opener.

The coach said he expects Gainer to play this weekend, though he will likely be limited.

“I think Amari is going to be ready to go,” Norvell said. “There’s probably still gonna be some limitations just in overall number count, but he’s gonna be ready to play. I thought he had a good day today watching him run around. Love his spirit. Love his work ethic. He’s such a tough kid.

“He has really pushed himself to be able to get in this space. As long as we have a couple of good days, I think he’ll be available. We’ll continue to work him in to back to where he’s all-go and get his conditioning and all those things back where it needs to be.”

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The return of Gainer will be a huge boost for the linebacker group. Last season, he finished fifth on the team with 59 tackles, a sack, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.

But while Gainer might be limited in his return, Norvell anticipates more work from defensive end Jared Verse this week. Verse returned to action in Week 5 against Wake Forest, but played only 20 snaps as the team took it easy on him. He currently leads the team with four sacks in four games.

“Barring any setback, fully expecting to get more out of (Verse),” Norvell said.

Finally, Mike Norvell also gave an injury update on offensive lineman Robert Scott, who missed the past two games with a lower leg injury. The coach confirmed that Scott has practiced with the team, but his status for Saturday seems to be in more doubt than the previous two players.

“We’ll see how the week continues to go,” Norvell said. “He’s gotten work in the last two days, which is good. We’ll be able to see where it is come game time.”

The Seminoles are set to kick off against No. 14 NC State at 8 p.m. ET Saturday on the road.