Florida Gators LB Derek Wingo provides update on his injury status

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•04/22/24•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — If the Gators were playing a game this week, Derek Wingo would be full go. The senior linebacker will no longer be in a black non-contact jersey at practice.

Wingo revealed on Monday that he has been fully cleared by team doctors to return to action. He had been non-contact for all of spring camp following offseason shoulder surgery.

“Fully cleared let’s get it!! 2024,” Wingo posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Gators Online first reported that Wingo would be one of two defenders wearing a non-contact jersey in the spring game, along with sophomore safety Jordan Castell.

Castell made the start on defense and played regularly with the unit, while Wingo had a series with the starters at the end of the first half and appeared on special teams.

Wingo played in the second scrimmage of spring camp in a non-contact jersey as well, Gators Online learned. Junior linebacker Shemar James was also non-contact this spring.

His new position coach, Ron Roberts, said Wingo was still involved in practice and providing a leadership presence with the linebacker group.

“Wingo is getting some scale in, some pass stuff. He could probably go. It’s just not worth the risk of putting him out there in physical contact right now while he is still recovering from his injury,” Roberts said during camp. “So, he’s going in some scale, some pass reps, non-contact drills. He’s doing all that stuff. Actually, he’s doing some contact on sled and stuff, on our indy (drills) he’s doing some of that stuff. He’s good to go.

“Tremendous leadership there. I think that’s the first thing. You’re always looking for those types of things. Those are the things that make a difference on a football team. Do you have the right guys in leadership positions that can help bring the young guys along? And this is how we do it, and here’s the standard of excellence and we’re going to push you every day. A good thing about walking in, you kind of see that from the get-go.”

Wingo has appeared in every game the last three years and finished last season with 18 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and a blocked punt. He ended the 2022 season with back-to-back starts and made his first career start in 2021. Wingo has 59 career tackles and 4.5 sacks in 46 games played.

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