Florida football LB Shemar James suffers injury in practice. Here's what we know.
Florida football linebacker Shemar James is being evaluated for a lower body injury suffered Wednesday in fall camp, head coach Billy Napier confirmed on Thursday.
Napier did not specify the severity of the injury.
"That's kind of day-to-day, to be determined," Napier said.
James played in 13 games as a true freshman for the Florida Gators last season, making four starts. He was being counted on as a starter again this season after a freshman season that included 47 tackles, 3 quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss and two sacks.
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UF football improved depth at linebacker this season
Florida added more depth at the linebacker position during the offseason with the addition of transfers Teradja Mitchell (Ohio State), Duece Spurlock (Michigan) and Mannie Nunnery (Houston). Scooby Williams also is coming off a strong spring, and Derek Wingo, coming off shoulder surgery, displayed some leadership at the end of last season.
"That group is very competitive, one of the more competitive groups on our team," Napier said. "We’re really excited about that group, the growth we’ve seen, the maturity we’ve seen."
True freshman linebacker Jaden Robinson, a Lake City native who starred at Columbia High last season, is another player that could work his way into the linebacker rotation. Robinson, an enrollee, had seven tackles and a sack in UF's spring game.
"The staff definitely did a great job in the transfer portal and in this freshman class at just establishing depth, especially at the linebacker position," Florida sophomore cornerback Devin Moore said. "And, you know, hopefully it's not the case, but if somebody else has to step up, I definitely have trust in them to get the job done."
Other Florida football injuries
Napier also said that offensive lineman Lyndell Hudson Jr. is in concussion protocol after being involved in a car accident this week.
Receivers Eugene Wilson III and Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman are dealing with soft tissue injuries, but Napier doesn't anticipate either injury being a long-term issue.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: UF football linebacker Shemar James suffers lower body injury
