Vernell Brown III injury update: Status of Florida receiver revealed on Friday availability report

The third injury report for a Week 13 SEC matchup between Florida and Tennessee was released Friday evening. A number of players on both sides entered with questions about their status this week after missing their team’s previous game.

Some players could be in line for a major return, like Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks. Banks has barely played this season, but was not on the initial availability report on Wednesday.

What about Friday? Well, On3 is here to recap the rather lengthy injury report ahead of this weekend’s showdown. Here is the latest Availability Report.

Florida Gators (3-7, 2-5)

• WR Eugene “Tre” Wilson III – Out
• WR Dallas Wilson – Out
• ILB Ty Jackson – Out
• EDGE LJ McCray – Out
• DB Aaron Gates – Out
• DB Micheal Caraway – Out
• RB Ja’Kobi Jackson – Out
• DB Dijon Johnson – Out
• EDGE George Gumbs – Out
• DB Javion Toombs – Out
• OL Roderick Kearney – Out
• DL Michai Boireau – Out
• WR Vernell Brown III – Questionable
• DB Bryce Thornton – Questionable

No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers (7-3, 3-3)

• DB Rickey Gibson III – Out
• DB Jermod McCoy – Out
• DB Sidney Walton – Out
• TE Miles Kitselman – Out
• WR Joakim Dodson – Out
• RB Peyton Lewis – Out

Perhaps the most notable name on the availability report for Florida on Friday is wide receiver Vernell Brown III. The freshman has been outstanding all season, hauling in 33 catches for 473 yards. Given the team’s injury issues at the position, his status on Saturday will be massive.

Florida is already playing without Eugene Wilson III and Dallas Wilson at the position, two stars in their own right. Being able to inflict damage in the passing game might depend somewhat on Brown’s availability.

Though Florida hasn’t had an injury to starting running back Jadan Baugh, backup Ja’Kobi Jackson has been out the last few weeks and has thinned the rotation there. Of note, though, is that Duke Clark is now off the injury list for Florida.

Two other Florida injuries worth noting: offensive tackle Austin Barber and tight end Tony Livingston were not listed on Wednesday. Both are key figures on the offense.

On the Tennessee side, two important players were listed as questionable on Friday’s report. That was running back Peyton Lewis and offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. Lewis boasts 290 rushing yards on 70 carries this season. He’s also found the end zone seven times.

The Volunteers are a little thin in the defensive backfield, with Rickey Gibson III and Sidney Walton both out. Still, Tennessee has far fewer injuries than Florida heading into this matchup. The Volunteers are looking to rise above .500 in conference play, while the Gators are trying to avoid their fifth loss in their last six games.

On3’s Thomas Goldkamp contributed to this report.