No. 8 Florida will be without leading wide receiver Vernell Brown III for Saturday’s road matchup against No. 25 Missouri. Brown III was ruled out with a knee sprain in the Gators’ final pregame availability report.
Brown III was listed as doubtful Friday before being ruled out ahead of the 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC from Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri.
What the team said
Brown III suffered a knee sprain in the second quarter of Florida’s 52-28 win over then-No. 4 Ole Miss last week, per Sports Illustrated. He did not return to that game. Fellow receiver Bailey Stockton, who was hurt on the same drive with a back injury after a targeting penalty, is available Saturday after being listed as probable.
Florida head coach Jon Sumrall said Monday that none of the team’s injuries from the Ole Miss game were considered long-term. “All of them, honestly, could be available this weekend. That’ll just be through the week evaluations,” Sumrall said, according to Sports Illustrated.
“But I’ve had guys, on all the guys who have injuries, I’ve had guys have the same injuries and find ways to get there in a week, but you never know how a guy’s body is going to respond and how they feel confidence-wise and certain things. So, but nothing major, which is good.”
Vernell Brown III’s replacements
With Brown III sidelined, Florida is expected to lean on Dallas Wilson and a returning Eric Singleton Jr. to fill the void at receiver, according to Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Singleton Jr. missed two games with an ankle injury before playing a limited role last week, catching one pass for 38 yards and drawing a pass interference penalty.
Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner praised the deep-threat element Singleton Jr. provides. “He brings a totally different element to being able to take the top off of defense than really anybody I’ve ever been around,” Faulkner said Tuesday, according to Sports Illustrated.
Yahoo Sports also pointed to Missouri’s defensive approach as a factor magnifying the receiver shuffle. The Tigers are expected to load the box against Florida running back Jadan Baugh, putting more pressure on quarterback Aaron Philo and the passing attack to beat them through the air.
Season context
Brown III leads Florida in both categories this season with 17 receptions and 271 receiving yards, according to Sports Illustrated. He also serves as the Gators’ primary punt returner, meaning his absence affects special teams as well as the passing game.
Stockton, who returned in a limited capacity in the second half against Ole Miss, is cleared to play Saturday and gives Philo another available target alongside Wilson and Singleton Jr.
What’s next
Florida and Missouri kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Faurot Field, with the game broadcast nationally on ABC. Florida plays Missouri on Saturday.
The Gators’ next game is their next SEC matchup following this week’s result. More on the matchup is available in the Gators’ Missouri preview.
Reporting from Yahoo Sports and Sports Illustrated contributed to this story.
