Florida junior defensive back Dijon Johnson suffered a non-contact injury in the third quarter against the Miami Hurricanes. After attempting to make a tackle, he was seen immediately grabbing his right knee and had to be carried off the field by trainers. Later on, he was spotted alongside the sidelines being held up by crutches.
Johnson is one of the Gators' primary defensive backs and started all four games this season. Heading into Saturday, the junior defensive back had logged four tackles and an interception.
"I think they're the best they've been in their careers, and I think they all three have shown maturity," head coach Billy Napier said about Florida's starting cornerbacks Monday. "Devin, DD [Dijon Johnson] and Cormani continue to get better."
Johnson exited the game with four tackles and a pass break up. Florida defensive back Aaron Gates also left the contest following an arm injury in the first quarter.
The Gators' defense has been plagued with injuries across the last month.
Florida edge rushers George Gumbs Jr. and LJ McCray are both out indefinitely. Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks is also out after suffering a foot injury in his season debut against Louisiana State. He missed the first two games due to a lower leg injury and exited in the second half against the Tigers.
Gators defensive lineman Michai Boireau is out for the second straight game. Freshman Jayden Woods made his first career start against the Hurricanes and recorded a sack against Carson Beck in the first quarter.
"Still enough players there to have a very effective group," Napier said Wednesday. "We got a really good group. I'm excited about what I see out of the young players in the group."
During the offseason, Johnson made headlines after he was arrested by Tampa police during a traffic stop and faced multiple felony charges, including possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Eighty-seven days following the arrest, the charges were dropped against Johnson and he was ready to suit up for Florida's season opener against Long Island on Aug. 30.
With Johnson's absence, Florida defensive backs Cormani McClain and Sharif Denson will absorb more responsibilities among the Gators' secondary unit.
Contact Luke Adragna at ladragna@alligator.org. Follow him on X @lukeadrag.
Luke is The Alligator's Sports Editor and is a senior sports journalism student. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his cat named Pete and going down a rabbit hole of niche professional athletes (shoutout Charles Sims).
