The injury bug has bitten Florida football’s roster early on in the preseason practice schedule, but fortunately, it has not been too bad. On Monday, second-year head coach Billy Napier addressed the press and included an update on the injured list.
The main focus of concern has been sophomore interior linebacker [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag], who has been out since he sustained a knee injury on Aug. 2. Napier noted that the key defender will be out 7-10 days while recovering from the incident. In the interim, the staff will take a cautious approach to getting him up to speed during that 10-day period.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 230-pound inside linebacker from Mobile, Alabama, was a true freshman standout in the SEC last season, appearing in all 13 games for the Gators and amassing 47 tackles — second-most among true freshmen linebackers and sixth among his teammates overall. He also finished the regular season tied for second in sacks and forced fumbles among the conference peers who share his recruiting class.
Four-star legacy linebacker commit Myles Graham recently noted the importance of getting James back on the field.
“I think we need Shemar James,” he offered. “Really, really need him back.”
The other player out is sophomore cornerback Devin Moore, who is dealing with an undisclosed upper-body injury. According to Napier, he is expected to be back on the field “in the next few days” without any sense of concern from the second-year skipper.
It is worth noting that Moore sustained a shoulder injury that required surgery last year, ending his season after just five games. He spent the entirety of spring practice season in a non-contact jersey while rehabbing his shoulder.
The Gators opened camp Sunday, July 30, and the team held its first practice of the 2023 season on Monday, July 31. Florida opens its 2023 schedule on the road against the Utah Utes on Aug. 31, with a kickoff time of 8 p.m. EDT.
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