As it turns out, the “pretty big blow” sustained by Florida’s offensive line could be much worse than originally thought.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that right tackle Rod Johnson would be out indefinitely with a stinger-type injury. There were also indications that a previous issue in his shoulder could compound the situation.
UF is expected to get the final diagnosis on Monday, although Jim McElwain allowed that “it doesn’t look great” as the injury could end the lineman’s playing career.
"[O]ne thing I’ll tell you about any player, I will never, ever put him out there in harm’s way,” the first-year head coach said following Saturday’s spring game. “And we’ve got a medical staff that looks at everything. We send the things all over the country to specialists and I’ll have more on that probably Monday.
“Life’s too short, man. Ain’t gonna do it, ain’t gonna do it to a young guy.”
As a redshirt freshman last season, Johnson started three of the 12 games in which he played. He was expected to be the starter on that side of the line as well.
Because of all of the injuries, the Gators exited the spring with just six healthy scholarship linemen, a fact that McElwain had previously lamented.