Caleb Banks injury update: Billy Napier makes important admission on Florida defender

The Florida Gators‘ defense suffered a major loss on the defensive line Saturday. Caleb Banks, who was making his debut against LSU after missing the first two weeks of the season with a foot injury re-aggravated it and was forced to leave that game.

Head coach Billy Napier was asked if the injury would be a longer-term issue during Monday’s press conference. In response, Napier was brief, saying, “Yes, sir.” He did not go on to expand about the exact injury or how the team is going to address the loss.

There were concerns that Caleb Banks suffered a longer term issue since he left the game on Saturday. In particular, after he was sighted in a walking boot and using crutches. Now, it looks like that’s going to be the case.

Caleb Banks was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2021, who went to Southfield in Michigan. He had been the 990th-ranked prospect and the 98th-ranked edge rusher in that recruiting cycle. Initially, he’d attend Louisville before transferring to Florida before the 2023 season.

In 12 games during the 2024 season, Caleb Banks had 21 total tackles, including seven tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. He would also force two fumbles. However, in his limited playing time this season, Banks has yet to record a tackle.

With Caleb Banks out earlier in the season, Billy Napier largely turned to Baylor transfer Brendan Bett. He again would play a key role against LSU. It’s also safe to expect his role to increase again while Banks is back, trying to get healthy again.

Paul Finebaum analyzes whether Billy Napier will make it through 2025 season at Florida

Billy Napier appears to be on the hot seat through three games. Despite several coaches already being fired, Paul Finebaum thinks that Billy Napier is in a more complicated situation.

“I think there’s a difference between Napier’s situation at Florida and UCLA and Virginia Tech. I mean, those two were self-explanatory. Nobody was showing up at UCLA. The coach was a terrible hire from day one. [Brent] Pry was done. I understand that. Just clear the deck. Give the team and the fans a chance to maybe have a fun season. Florida has been competitive. I’m not trying to come up with cliches here, but they did lose the game a week ago by one and the game Saturday they were in [it],” Finebaum said.

“So, I don’t think you just fire a coach at Florida just to fire them at Florida. But I think the next three to four weeks are going to tell the story. This was often a stretch that we talked about. He had to split that four-game stretch, and he’s already lost a game before the stretch even began. So, I think if he can’t win anything at the end of this stretch, and by the way, Texas right now is the easiest win of the group, then the season is effectively over. Then you decide. Do you just want to make a change now to have it in cement? Or is there a reason for a lame duck coach to continue to show up every week?”

Florida travels to Miami to take on the Hurricanes next week. After that, they’ll be returning home to continue SEC play.