Update on Florida starting WRs Caleb Douglas, Eugene Wilson III

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•09/30/23•

ZachAbolverdi

LEXINGTON, Ky. — In addition to losing Saturday’s game 33-14 at Kentucky, the No. 22 Gators also lost starting receiver Caleb Douglas. He was injured at the end of the first half and did not return.

The sophomore left the game after making an impressive 34-yard catch. As Douglas walked into the locker room, it hurt him to put pressure on his left foot and he was upset about the injury.

He spent the second half on crutches with his left leg in a walking boot. Florida coach Billy Napier addressed Douglas’ status in his post-game press conference.

“Caleb is injured. He’ll be out for a significant chunk of time,” Napier told Gators Online. “He’s got a lower leg injury. I think it’s non-surgical, but it will be quite a bit of time.”

Douglas is the team’s second-leading receiver with 133 yards and a touchdown on 11 catches. His reception Saturday set up Florida’s first score of the game to cut the deficit to 23-7.

Update on Eugene Wilson III

The Gators were without two starting receivers in the second half following Douglas’ injury. Freshman wideout Eugene Wilson III was expected to return from a collarbone injury that kept him out last week against Charlotte.

Wilson was removed from the injury report on Wednesday night and listed as the starter in the slot. However, Napier revealed after Saturday’s loss that Wilson was scratched from the starting lineup before the game.

“We didn’t feel good about putting him out there,” he said. “We were hopeful that he would be ready. (He had) some contact throughout the week. After evaluating him in pregame, it wasn’t in his best interest as much as maybe he wanted to go. I think we made a decision that he wasn’t ready.”

Wilson ranks third on the team with 104 receiving yards on 12 catches, along with two carries for 27 yards.

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