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Billy Gonzales provides update on Florida Gators DL Caleb Banks

On3 imageby: Keith Niebuhr14 hours agoOn3Keith
Caleb-Banks-Florida-Gators
© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Florida Gators coach Billy Gonzales seemed optimistic Monday that defensive lineman Caleb Banks, who hasn’t played since Sept. 13 after having surgery on his foot, might be close to returning to action.

“He’s been cleared to play so obviously the return to play aspect of it is going to be based on his body and how he comes through and performs this week at practice,” Gonzales said. “Everybody is a little different. It takes some players a little bit longer to come back after the return to play. But I know as far as his attitude and willingness and eagerness to come back, he wants to come back immediately.”

He has only played one game this season

Because of a foot injury sustained a year ago, Banks, a much-hyped redshirt senior, made his season debut against LSU in Game 4. He reinjured his foot in that game and had in-season surgery. At that time, it was believed it was possible he might miss the remainder of the season.

But last Wednesday, his status was upgraded to doubtful for the Ole Miss game. By Saturday, its was a game-time decision but Banks ultimately did not play in UF’s 34-24 loss.

“He wanted to play this past week,” Gonzales said. “It’ll be nice to get him back. Another big body in front to come help us in that run game as well. He started practicing last week. He went through … somewhere around 25 reps or so last Wednesday in that return to play area. Again, the plan is to get him those reps, get him in Saturday. … Obviously, we’ll monitor how he’s doing throughout practice to make sure that we’re putting him in the proper position so he’s healthy.”

In the 20-10 loss to LSU back in September, Banks started and played 34 snaps before being injured. He did not record any stats.

Caleb Banks had a promising junior season

He had 21 tackles (10 solo) with 7.0 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a recovered fumble in 10 starts in 2024. Banks was named to preseason watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Award this offseason.

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