Four Gators undergo post-spring surgeries
With spring practices and the Orange and Blue Game all wrapped up, four Florida Gators football players underwent surgery, according to Swamp247.
Starting center Jake Slaughter is the most prominent name on the list. He and fellow starting offensive lineman Knijeah Harris underwent arthroscopic procedures — Harris on his left ankle and Slaughter on his right shoulder. Slaughter was among the best centers in all of college football a year ago and is a likely preseason All-American. His return timeline is unknown, however.
Arthroscopy is generally less invasive than what's thought of as traditional surgery, according to the National Institute of Health, but each procedure requires a different amount of rest to recover fully, especially before being cleared to play in tackle football. The Cleveland Clinic sets Slaughter's recovery time at weeks to months, depending on the severity of the situation. Harris is on a similar timeline, although he should be ready to return to practice after two months or so.
Receiver Aidan Mizell is having a knee debridement procedure done and receiving platelet-rich plasma injections in both knees. He should be ready in 3-6 weeks.
Finally, running back Treyaun Webb had some surgical material removed from his tibia, which was fractured and repaired in November. Webb went down as the No. 2 on the depth chart behind only Montrell Johnson Jr., but he'll likely return at No. 3 behind Jadan Baugh and Ja'Kobi Jackson. Both ran for more than 500 yards and scored seven touchdowns, as Johnson also dealt with injuries.
Baugh remains on the same timeline to return and should be good for Florida's season opener on Aug. 30 against Long Island. That would be a good game for him to test his legs, but there are still a few months to go in his recovery before being officially cleared.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
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