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Montrell Johnson injury update: Billy Napier provides critical news on running back

Untitled designby: Nick de la Torre10/14/24delatorre
Montrell-Johnson-Jr-Florida-Gators
Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (1) runs with the ball during a NCAA football game between Tennessee and Florida in Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 12, 2024.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators lost their starting quarterback and running back in a loss to the Tennessee Volunteers. While Graham Mertz will be out for the season with a torn ACL, running back Montrell Johnson has a better prognosis.

Johnson was hip-drop tackled at the end of a run against the Tennessee Volunteers and remained on the ground. The senior running back wasn’t able to come back into the game but Billy Napier gave a positive review of Johnson’s injury status.

“We don’t anticipate it being a long-term issue,” Napier said when asked about Johnson’s injury.

Johnson leads all Florida running backs with 396 yards and four touchdowns on 70 carries this season. Johnson suffered a knee injury that limited him in fall camp. He missed most of camp but was able to return for the season opener against the Miami Hurricanes Johnson returned for UF’s season-opener against Miami. Johnson was having a great game before the injury. He had 85 yards on 12 carries, including a 23-yard gain.

True freshman Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson picked up the slack after Johnson’s injury. Baugh finished with 25 yards on 12 carries, while Jackson had 16 yards on five touches. Florida has been playing without backup running backs, sophomore Treyaun Webb and freshman KD Daniels. Both players have missed the last two contests with injuries. Napier was asked about getting them back this weekend.

“We’re hopeful that we may get a couple of guys back,” Napier said. “Now that’s to be determined. We’re in the process of evaluating a couple of those guys that have been out. We’ll have a better idea in the next couple of days. Some of those guys are trending in the right direction — Montrell being in that group. We’ll know. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, there will be 100 percent clarity when we get there.”

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