Florida’s football team travels to Starkville, Miss., on Saturday for a SEC matchup against Mississippi State.
Wilson’s Injury
The Gators released an updated injury list showing sophomore Eugene Wilson III as ruled out for Saturday’s game. Florida has 11 players on their injury report, 10 of which are out, and one is wide receiver, Tank Hawkins, who is questionable.
Initial #SEC availability report for #Gators vs. Mississippi State … pic.twitter.com/OTZAZ6gFbi
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) September 19, 2024
Wilson did not play in Week 3 against Texas A&M. Florida head coach Billy Napier wouldn’t disclose the nature of Wilson’s injury. However, he confirmed it occurred in the Gator’s 45-7 win over Samford at The Swamp.
A sophomore from Tampa and the son of two-time Super Bowl-winning safety Eugene Wilson II, Wilson has a team-leading 13 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown in two games.
It was announced that Wilson underwent surgery this week to repair a meniscus injury he suffered during the win against Samford. The report initially listed the reason as “lower body.”
Injured Gators
With Wilson and possibly Hawkins out, Florida will lean on transfer receivers Elijhah Badger (Arizona State) and Chimere Dike (Wisconsin). Both have stood out this season. Badger has 11 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown on the season. Dike has eight catches for 146 yards and one touchdown.
Week 1 starter Kahleil Jackson is out for the season with a torn ACL. Florida also won’t have senior Ja’Quavion Fraziars for the fourth consecutive game due to a knee injury sustained in the offseason.
Florida football injury update: Latest on WR Eugene Wilson III's status for MSU #Gators https://t.co/l415d8LxXS
— KevinBrockwayGators (@KevinBrockwayG1) September 19, 2024
“We’re definitely a better team with Tre Wilson for sure,” Napier said. “But I do think Dike and Badger, in particular, stepped up in a major way. We have the ability to in formation plays to get the primary guys in position, much like we’ve done the past. We’ll take what we have each week and we’ll formation it and try to make those guys a primary and secondary.”
Eugene Wilson is out this weekend at Mississippi St.
We are cooked 😭 pic.twitter.com/Km4WaRyAMQ
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) September 19, 2024
The Florida Gators look to pick up their first SEC win of the season when they to take on Mississippi State. Kickoff is set for noon on Saturday.