Billy Napier provides injury update for Gators entering preseason practice

Florida Gators coach Billy Napier said Tuesday, the day before his team will take the field for the first preseason practice, UF has “a handful of players that are going to be modified that’ll be limited early in camp.” That list includes starting quarterback DJ Lagway, along with linebacker Grayson Howard, receiver Kahleil Jackson, running back Treyaun Webb and offensive tackle Tavaris Dice.

“All those players are a little bit modified here in our day-to-day as they’re in return to play,” Napier said. “We are positive, we have a positive attitude towards where they’re headed and their opportunity to get back here shortly.”

Here’s a little bit more on each of those players:

—Lagway sustained a calf injury during a team run last week and was placed in a boot, Gators Online first reported on Monday. His injury is not thought to be serious. “He’s day to day,” Billy Napier said. “The good thing is that we’re about a week removed [from his latest injury]. In general, he’s made a lot of quick progress. But it will be something that we’re monitoring.”

Lagway did not attempt any passes during the spring while nursing a shoulder/lower body injury, according to Napier. “When he gets back, he’ll be just fine,” Napier said Tuesday. You can read the full update on Lagway HERE.

Some other important players also are limited to start preseason practice

—Howard is a junior inside backer who started nine games last season before sustaining an ankle injury that cut his year short. He was held out in the spring as he recovered. Junior Jaden Robinson started in Howard’s place for the final four games last year and continued to work as Florida’s starting MIKE linebacker throughout the spring.

—Jackson, a senior with double-digit starts under his belt, had ACL surgery last September and missed UF’s final 12 games in 2024. He recently had a second surgery on the knee. “That was just to clean up some of the stuff, a little scope, not major surgery,” Jackson’s father, former Florida receiver Willie Jackson, said. “Now, he’s just doing rehab. Now it’s up to the guys, the great therapists we have to get him back ready.” (full update HERE)

—Webb, a redshirt sophomore, was the top backup last year before suffering his season-ending injury [fractured tibia]. He practiced in a limited capacity but was non-contact throughout spring camp. 

—Dice, a true freshman, was not likely to play much in his first season, but he sustained a lower leg injury (knee) early in spring camp. He is expected to be out a significant amount of time (full update HERE).

Billy Napier gave a significant update on safety Asa Turner

Meanwhile, defensive back Asa Turner, who sustained a season-ending hamstring injury in the 2024 opener against Miami, has retired from football, according to Napier. The seventh-year senior rejoined the team this summer and participated in workouts, but he met with Billy Napier on Tuesday morning and the decision was made to step away from football.

“Asa is transitioning out of football,” Napier said. “He’s had really three years of significant injuries in college football. I actually met with Asa this morning. Look, Asa did a great job when he got here and was a really big contributor early in the season. Got injured and then hasn’t quite been the same guy, if you really look at Washington the last couple of years. Asa contributed to our team last year. Very thankful for the way he approached being a teammate, his attitude. But he’s at a point where he’s not going to play.”

A couple Gators have apparently recovered well from injuries in 2024

Meanwhile, the news wasn’t all bad.

According to Florida Gators defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, junior Jamari Lyons, who likely will start for the Gators at nose tackle, appears to be doing well. He practiced on March 8 for the first time since breaking an ankle last fall in training camp though he was limited this spring. According to Roberts, Lyons has told him he “feels great” and the coach said Lyons looks “outstanding” entering preseason practice. That said, Lyons’ rehabbing isn’t done, per Roberts.

Meanwhile, Zach Abolverdi of Gators Online reported Tuesday that STAR Aaron Gates, who hurt his knee in the final SEC game against Ole Miss last year and missed most of the spring, is “on schedule,” per Napier. He started five games in 2024 and is a key player in the secondary (full update HERE).