Florida redshirt sophomore Rod Johnson, the team’s presumed starter at right tackle, hasn’t practiced since April 3. After initially describing Johnson’s injury as a “stinger with finger numbness,” Gators head coach Jim McElwain made it seem after the team's spring game Saturday that the prognosis is a lot more serious.
“We actually should get the final (diagnosis) probably on Monday,” McElwain said, per the Gainesville Sun. “Doesn’t look great. And one thing I’ll tell you about any player, I will never, ever put him out there in harm’s way.
"And we’ve got a medical staff that looks at everything. We send the things all over the country to specialists and I’ll more on that probably Monday. Life’s too short, man. Ain’t gonna do it, ain’t gonna do it to a young guy.”
After Johnson, who started three games and appeared in 12 last season, was injured earlier in the spring, McElwain announced that he’d be sidelined for the rest of the spring said that Johnson had “previous damage in the same unspecified area,” per the Sun.
Gators quarterback Treon Harris said Johnson’s expected departure from the team is a “big loss.”
With Johnson and starting center Trip Thurman (shoulder) sidelined for Saturday’s spring game, the Gators played the game with just six scholarship linemen. That depth will be replenished in the summer when the team welcomes six true freshmen to the mix, including five-star recruit Martez Ivey.
“We have to get the young guys ready and the guys coming in in the summer ready to go,” Harris said.
For more Florida news, visit InsideTheGators.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
