Florida’s injury picture changed significantly Friday night ahead of its rivalry matchup with Georgia.
Wide receiver Vernell Brown III was downgraded from probable to questionable on the Gators’ latest SEC availability report, while quarterbacks Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. were both upgraded from questionable to probable.
Running back Duke Clark and linebacker Jaden Robinson have been ruled out, while wide receiver Bailey Stockton moved from doubtful to questionable.
Brown’s downgrade is the most concerning development after he appeared to be trending toward a return earlier in the week. The receiver has missed Florida’s last three games with a knee injury and was listed as probable on Wednesday and Thursday. Gators Online reported Friday
that Brown missed the last two days of practice after suffering a minor setback.
Philo’s upgrade comes hours after multiple reports named him Florida’s starting quarterback against Georgia. The third-year quarterback missed the Gators’ 27-24 win over Texas with a shoulder injury suffered against South Carolina, with Jones starting in his place.
Both quarterbacks were listed as questionable on Florida’s initial availability report Wednesday and remained there Thursday. Philo is now expected to reclaim the starting job, while Jones should also be available after dealing with what Jon Sumrall described earlier in the week as a few “bumps and bruises.”
Clark’s status moved in the opposite direction. He began the week as questionable with an ankle injury but has now been ruled out. Robinson was downgraded from doubtful to out.
Stockton, meanwhile, is trending toward potentially being available. He was listed as doubtful on both Wednesday and Thursday before being upgraded to questionable Friday.
Brown was the only Florida player whose status worsened from the initial report without being ruled out entirely.
Florida and Georgia kick off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. One final availability report will be released 90 minutes before kickoff.
Florida’s Friday SEC availability report
- WR Vernell Brown III — QUESTIONABLE
- QB Aaron Philo — PROBABLE
- QB Tramell Jones Jr. — PROBABLE
- RB Duke Clark — OUT
- WR Bailey Stockton — QUESTIONABLE
- LB Jaden Robinson — OUT
For comparison, Brown opened the week as probable; Philo, Jones and Clark were questionable; and Stockton and Robinson were doubtful.
Georgia’s Friday SEC availability report
Georgia also has six players listed entering Saturday’s game.
- DB KJ Bolden — QUESTIONABLE
- WR Isiah Canion — QUESTIONABLE
- RB Chauncey Bowens — OUT
- WR Thomas Blackshear — OUT
- S Tyriq Green — OUT
- OLB Amaris Williams — OUT
Designated participation statuses
- Out (0% chance to play)
- Doubtful (25% chance to play)
- Questionable (50% chance to play)
- Probable (75% chance to play)
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida injury report shifts ahead of Georgia rivalry
