The Florida Gators reported for the 2017 football season on Wednesday morning but they won’t be at full strength to start fall camp.
The biggest hit is the loss of senior safety Marcell Harris, who tore his Achilles during an offseason conditioning drill. Joining Harris on the list of guys that will be out for an extended period are freshman linebacker Nick Smith (knee), redshirt freshman receiver Rick Wells (knee) and redshirt freshman defensive back McArthur Burnett (undisclosed).
“We’ve got some guys, obviously, that have been through some things that will be unable to perform out there. Obviously you’re well aware of Marcell Harris, what occurred there,” Jim McElwain said on Wednesday. “Rick Wells — these guys are all going through treatment and will be doing that as we’re going through practice. McArthur Burnett, Nick Smith, who just recently had some work done.”
Florida is getting some guys back from injuries suffered last season. Jordan Sherit will be limited in action as he comes back from ACL surgery. Sherit was playing the best football of his career last year before going down with an injury. He’ll be limited in camp.
“How we will kind of work him will be sort of similar to what we did with Antonio Morrison a couple years ago, in which we kind of filter him in and out,” said McElwain.
Antonio Riles (knee) and Kavaris Harkless (undisclosed) will also be used in a limited fashion but should be fine by the time the season rolls around.
It wasn’t all bad news on the injury front, however. Sophomore safety Jeawon Taylor (shoulder) and redshirt freshman Quincy Lenton (foot) are both expected to be full-go for camp. Taylor had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder after the SEC Championship game and Taylor missed his freshman season with a nagging foot injury that required surgery as well.