Florida forward Chase Johnson is back in concussion protocol after suffering his second concussion in a three-month span.
Johnson has sat out UF’s last five games with an illness. While Johnson has also been battling the flu, tests by Florida trainer Dave “Duke” Werner this week also revealed that the 6-foot-9 Ripley, W. Va., native suffered another concussive event. It is unclear when Johnson suffered the concussion, though he had been going through contact practices with the team up to UF’s game on Dec. 4 against Florida State.
Johnson had suffered a concussion during UF’s practices in mid-October and sat out two weeks, but returned to action in time for Florida’s season opener Nov. 13 against Gardner-Webb. Johnson has appeared in four of UF’s 11 games this season, averaging 4.3 points and 2.0 rebounds.
Florida coach Mike White said Johnson will sit out UF’s game Friday night against Incarnate Word and will be re-evaluated before the Gators open SEC play Dec. 30 at home against Vanderbilt. White said Johnson hasn’t lost much weight as a result of his illnesses and still has looked good athletically in individual workouts.
“Hopefully he’ll be a full-go when we get back from this break,” White said. “I hope so for this team and moreso hope so for him.”
Maybe he needs some additional protection to prevent additional concussions?
Waiting patiently for Egbunu’s return since none of the other Gator centers can spell rebound, block, play defense and score. Inside defense and rebounding have been Gator killers all season. That and the inability to keep playing tough even when you have a big lead (Duke by 17 second half. Clemson by 12 second half. The list will continue to grow until Egbunu returns to give the team that inside defense, rebounding and scoring.
The sad part is we have no centers for next year after Egbunu’s departure. So expect more of the same with Hayes and Gak who have shown their inability to play the low post.
So true. Hayes is especially bad. He has weak hands and often fumbles the ball thrown into the paint. No offensive contributions from the centers. He did nothing during the off season to improve. No shot blockers protecting the paint as the opposition continually drives to the basket unhindered. They will lose bad during conference play sadly.
He played like beast last year when Big John went down. He just needs to get his head out of his ass and start playing the way he did last year. I think the man on ball defense has been atrocious this year and magnified the problem at the 5 spot. Johnson seems to be jinxed needs a rabbits foot
Kevin, your podcast guest (thanks for the podcasts) Bradshaw, said, ”Vandy missing (their star player this season), Luke Cornet,” really shows up negatively for Vandy thus far in the season.
I’d submit Florida Basketball is missing Devin Robinson & Justin Leon even more! The Gators have a 6′ 9” guy, Chase Johnson, that stays hurt and/or sick (feel badly for him). And Egbunu and Stokes have ACL injuries, they’re still recovering from, so… I’m speechless. Florida needs a huge miracle for ”the paint play” this SEC season. Hope the U.F. coaches are asking Santa for a big man for in the paint, that can score and rebound. Go Gators!
What does this injury report have to do with the Gators poor shooting? They started the season showing they could score and now they struggle, badly. They rush their shots most of the time. Yes, there is an obvious weakness in the front line, but that still has nothing to do with their horrid shooting.
Can’t understand why Hayes wouldn’t have put on 30lbs over the last 2 years. There are people that could have easily helped him put on 30lbs of muscle. That alone would have improved his play 200%. That also gets you a contract over seas, it means everything for confidence and paly inside.
That and learning how to tie his shoes.
Hayes and Stone are two big disappointments. They are two big men who contribute nothing. They have not improved their bodies or their play. If anything they have gotten worse. When the team needed them the most they failed to step up.