Gators ‘Pretty Healthy’ Entering Season Opener Against FAU

Florida football enters Week 1 with a limited injury report ahead of Saturday’s season opener against Florida Atlantic.

Only one player has been ruled out for the upcoming season in walk-on running back Kelvin Jimenez, while freshman defensive lineman Kendall Guervil has returned to practice after suffering a knee injury.

“We’re pretty healthy,” Jon Sumrall said Monday. “The injury report is pretty positive in regard to having pretty much everybody ready to go.”

Tight end Evan Chieca remains questionable for Saturday after missing time during fall camp. Although Chieca has since returned to practice, Sumrall said his Saturday availability was a possibility, but not a “green light yet.”

“He’s practicing. He’s running around, but it’s a matter of how far we want to push him,” Sumrall said.

Florida’s healthy roster shows a different start compared with last season, when injuries plagued several key players throughout the season, including quarterback DJ Lagway, receivers Dallas Wilson and Aidan Mizell and defensive linemen Caleb Banks and LJ McCray.

Sumrall has remained largely transparent regarding the injury report, including comments during most media availabilities with a quick brief on how the team is faring that week. One explanation for the low level of injuries may have to do with improvements in the weight room.

On Wednesday, junior linebacker Myles Graham attributed the health of the program to the new coaching and training room staff, including Director of Football Performance Rusty Whitt, Director of Sports Health Paul Silvestri and Sumrall.

“[They are] taking care of us with practice, like not just trying to kill us,” Graham said. “We’re definitely a team that’s ready to go and we’re fresh and we’re healthy, so I’m excited.”

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Football