Last night, rumors circulated on social media, suggesting that star EDGE George Gumbs Jr. suffered an injury this past week, and he was questionable to participate against Miami tonight.
Well earlier today, Gators fans received confirmation of this unfortunate reality.
And it's ultimately worse than previously thought.
Gumbs Jr. is doubtful, not questionable, to play against fourth-ranked Miami later today, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. It's unlikely we see the impact player in action today.
Source: Florida starting defensive end George Gumbs Jr. is doubtful for the game at Miami today. Gumbs has traveled and will attempt to play, but he’s unlikely to go. Also, linchpin defensive tackle Michai Boireau will not play today, as he didn’t travel. pic.twitter.com/2XQNHa7vX1
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 20, 2025
Gumbs actually spoke at Monday's press conference earlier this week, and he didn't make any mention of an injury, hinting that this undisclosed injury did in fact occur this past week.
Thamel added that Gumbs Jr. did travel with the team, indicating that though participation is unlikely, it's not impossible. The report also stated that he will "attempt to play," meaning that at worst, this injury is most likely a short-term situation.
But it's certainly the type of injury that can completely through an already spiraling Florida team further into the abyss.
As previously reported earlier in the week and confirmed by Thamel, defensive lineman Michai Boireau will not participate against Miami as he recovers from his own injury, which kept him sidelined in a loss to third-ranked LSU last week.
The biggest storyline, however, is that star defensive tackle Caleb Banks suffered a significant injury against the Tigers last weekend, which head coach Billy Napier indicated as being a "long-term" injury.
Those losses are in addition to DT Caleb Banks, who has already been ruled out. Banks is the Gators’ most touted defender. That leaves Florida without two key interior pieces and likely a key defensive end.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 20, 2025
Despite a limited defensive line, head coach Billy Napier expressed his confidence in the defensive line during a press conference earlier this week. “We got a really good group. I'm excited about what I see out of the young players in the group,” Napier said. “Still enough players there to have a very effective group.”
Freshman EDGE Jayden Woods, who impressed in fall practices, will most likely start in place of Gumbs Jr., assuming Gumbs isn't able to play.
Florida will meet Miami at 7:30 on ABC tonight.