Florida WR Eugene Wilson III undergoes season-ending injury
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators starting wide receiver Eugene Wilson III is out for the season following hip surgery on Tuesday. Wilson shared a photo from his operation on social media.
Gators Online first reported last Wednesday that Wilson was ruled out for the Georgia game with a hip injury. He went to see one of the best hip specialists in the country last week.
His hip condition is a congenital issue and was uncovered over the course of this season, per sources. He was having to compensate for the injury, which gave him additional ailments.
“Tre’s injury has been lingering,” UF coach Billy Napier said Monday. “It’s been an issue that he’s had for quite a while that we’ve been navigating. I think at times he’s been able to produce and then there will be setbacks.”
Wilson has only appeared in four games in 2024 and can redshirt.
Wilson missed three games earlier this season with a knee injury suffered against Samford in Week 2 that required minor surgery, which was first reported by Gators Online. He was out against Texas A&M and Mississippi State but returned to practice during the week of the UCF game.
Wilson was a game-time decision against the Knights but did not play after going through pregame warmups. He returned from his injury at Tennessee for the first time since Week 2, catching five passes for 35 yards and giving him five or more receptions in 10 of his last 12 games.
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But Wilson caught just one ball against Kentucky — a 40-yard play in the first quarter — and missed practice last week.
“It’s unfortunate. I think the injury bug is part of the game,” Napier said of Wilson. “That’s when it’s hard, is when you’re getting into the middle of the week. You’re building the plan in early part of the week and you’re unsure who is available. I think we have done a good job adjusting in that regard, but that’s part of the equation.”
Wilson has 19 catches for 266 yards and one touchdown this season. He caught seven passes for 50 yards vs. Miami in Week 1. The following week, Wilson had a career-high 141 receiving yards and one touchdown on six receptions vs. Samford. In that game, he recorded an 85-yard touchdown catch.
In 2023, Wilson logged 61 receptions for 538 yards and six scores. He made multiple freshman All-American squads, with one being selected by On3. Additionally, Wilson was an All-SEC freshman pick.
