Gators WR Eugene Wilson III Avoids Long-Term Injury, Status TBD
Photo: Eugene Wilson III; Credit: Alex Shepherd
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida anticipates wide receiver freshman Eugene Wilson III will require "a little bit of time" to recover from a non-broken collarbone injury suffered in the Gators' 29-16, upset victory over formerly No. 11 Tennessee on Saturday evening, according to head coach Billy Napier.
"Tre is banged up. Nothing long-term, ultimately the X-ray is normal," Napier said on Monday. "I think that it will take him a little bit of time to return.
"Now, it's going to be a pain-tolerance deal. It will be to be determined. Could be this week, could be next week. We'll give you an update on Wednesday where we're officially at. The good thing here big picture I think we're going to get him back at some point."
Wilson, who cracked Florida's first-team offensive lineup in Week 2 despite his summer arrival on campus, exited Saturday's contest after catching six passes for 44 yards to open Florida's first drive. He was the only receiver to touch the ball on the Gators' debut series, which ended in a blocked field goal one snap after Wilson's final target.
"Tre is going to be fine. The X-ray was normal," Napier said immediately following the game. "I think he has a bruise of some — you know, but he wasn't able to return. Just didn't have the strength to return. He wanted to play, but I don't think he was ready to play."
Wilson's status on Florida's Wednesday injury report will be worth monitoring ahead of the Gators' Week 4 matchup with Charlotte, but considering Napier's current perspective regarding the injury, it wouldn't come as a total surprise if Wilson ends up inactive against the 49ers before UF returns to SEC play at Kentucky in Week 5.
Three games into his collegiate career, Wilson has accumulated 12 receptions for 104 yards and two rushes for 27 yards. Already a critical figure within UF's offense, he earned five or more touches in Florida's Week 2 and 3 matchups after a two-catch debut against Utah.
"[Wilson is a] very capable player, we saw some of that last week," Napier said on Sept. 6. "Kahleil [Jackson] being banged up, we kinda shuffled the deck there. And he's deserving, and he's going to only get better as we go forward. Still a freshman and there'll be some things that come with that, but he is proven to be a very effective player."
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