Ventrell Miller's updated status for the Tennessee game

On3 imageby:Nick de la Torre•09/21/22•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — For the second week in a row the Florida Gators could be without the heart and soul of their defense. Ventrell Miller was listed as “questionable” on the depth chart released by Florida on Wednesday night.

“He’s questionable for the game. I think he’ll be a game time decision,” Napier said on Wednesday night. “He took some reps (Wednesday). It is really a very subjective injury, if that makes sense.”

What Napier means by that is doctors have told Miller that playing won’t make his injury worse. It will be a matter of pain management for the veteran.

“Ventrell’s got a good pulse for his body. He’s a veteran player. He knows where he’s at. The injury he has is simply about where he’s at and how he feels. Ventrell is a guy — they don’t come more loyal in terms of his desire to do his job for the team and be there for his teammates. We’re excited that he’s questionable.”

“(The injury) will only get incrementally better as we go.”

Miller missed Florida’s third game of the season against USF. When asked about Miller’s availability then, Billy Napier said only that Miller would be out “this week” against USF. Miller’s injury could keep him out for at least an additional week.

“Ventrell is the quarterback of the defense. He’s very vocal, so that makes it very difficult for us to play without him on defense,” defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr. said last Saturday. “He communicates well and does a lot of things well. It is kind of like losing your heart.”

This is Miller’s sixth season at Florida. He missed most of the 2021 season with a torn biceps. It’s unclear how long he will be out, but Florida’s defense will miss him on the field this Saturday.

Even playing only two games Miller is still fifth on the team with 15 tackles. He’s been the Gators’ highest-rated player according to Pro Football Focus.

Replacing Miller

Miller was replaced by a pair of freshmen. Shemar James earned the start against USF as Florida came out in a nickel defense. Scooby Williams played 47 Snaps and graded a 66.2 according to PFF. James played 31 snaps and graded a

“He’s definitely very coachable, has a lot of potential,” Miller said of James last month. “We just gotta keep getting him to learn, be a little bit faster in his calls and recognition and stuff. But, definitely a guy with a lot of potential.”

The pair of young linebackers will have a veteran in Amari Burney with them on the field. This week they’ll be tasked with playing more snaps against the Bulls.

Other Gators listed as OUT vs Tennessee

TE Arlis Bardingham (upper body)

QB Jack Miller (thumb)

OL David Conner (thumb)

LS Marco Ortiz (upper body)

OL Michael Tarquin (lower body)

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