The hits just keep on coming for the Florida Gators. After suffering a stunning 18-16 loss at the hands of in-state rival South Florida Bulls on Saturday.
Head coach Billy Napier said during Monday's game-week press conference that sophomore defensive lineman LJ McCray will undergo surgery to repair a broken foot he suffered during Saturday's loss.
LJ McCray to miss significant time this season
McCray played in all 13 games during 2024 as a true freshman, tying for the second most quarterback hurries on the team. The former five-star recruit seemed on track for a breakout sophomore campaign, but inuries have already derailed his season.
He missed Florida's season opener with a lower-body injury that he suffered in camp. McCray suited up for Saturday's matchup against the Bulls.
However, he played just four snaps and tallied a QB hurry before suffering the broken foot.
As Gators Online reported earlier Monday, McCray could miss six to eight weeks due to the injury. If that's the case, McCray would be sidelined until mid-October at least, with an Oct. 18 date against Mississippi State falling near the six-week mark.
If his absence extends toward eight weeks, McCray could be out into November, before potentially returning for the Gators' final three or four regular-season contests.
Regardless, it's a major blow to a Gators team that can't afford much else to go wrong.
Now, they'll have to rely upon freshman Jadyen Woods and junior Kamran Jones to serve as rotational defensive ends behind Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs.
Jones started in four of the Gators 13 games a season ago and has proven to be a serviceable rusher off the edge. The bigger question is whether Woods can rise to the occasion. The Shawnee, Kansas native was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, and has made three tackles across his first two collegiate seasons.