Florida football injury update: Latest on VBIII status heading into South Carolina

Florida football wide receiver Vernell Brown III was listed as questionable for South Carolina on the SEC’s Initial Availability report on October 7.

The 5-foot-10, 178-pound Brown did not play against Missouri after suffering a knee injury during UF’s 52-28 win over Ole Miss on September 27.

The Florida Gators (4-1, 0-1 SEC), coming off a 45-17 loss at Missouri, will host the Gamecocks (2-3, 0-3 SEC) in their homecoming game at The Swamp on October 10 (12:45 p.m., SEC Network).

Brown ranks second in Florida in receiving with 17 catches for 271 yards and 2 TDs. He’s also returned two punts for TDs this season. Florida football coach Jon Sumrall offered an update on Brown’s progress during the SEC Football Coaches Media Teleconference on October 7.

“He looks a lot better,” Sumrall said. “He did not fully participate in practice today. He did run a little bit more yesterday, so we’re cycling. He ran yesterday, today is more of a recovery day and the back end of this week, we’ll give him a little bit of a run Thursday and Friday.

“Just saw him though, probably 30 minutes ago before I hopped on this call. He seems really optimistic. Like I’ve told you guys, a lot of it is just his confidence and if he’s able to go play. He seemed a lot more confident today than I’ve seen him in the last week and a half. So, that’s encouraging. And then Eric Singleton today ran 22-plus MPH. So both of those guys are trending upward right now from maybe where they’ve been.”

Florida running back/kick returner London Montgomery also is listed as questionable for South Carolina, while safety Bryce Thornton and cornerback Dijon Johnson are listed as probable.

For South Carolina, defensive back Jalewis Solomon, wide receiver Jayden Sellers, edge rusher Kobby Sakyi-Prah and offensive lineman Josiah Thompson are out. Defensive back Quay’sheed Scott, edge rusher Julian Walker and defensive lineman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy are doubtful. Wide receiver Mazeo Bennett Jr. and offensive lineman Carter Miller are questionable.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football injury update: Latest on VBIII status heading into South Carolina