Florida Gators defensive back Dijon Johnson is expected to undergo surgery Monday for a knee injury that could sideline him for the remainder of the season.
As first reported by Swamp247's Graham Hall, Johnson injured the meniscus in his right knee in the second half of Saturday's 26-7 loss at Miami.
Quarterback DJ Lagway also is on the injury report. He is back in a walking boot to alleviate some soreness in his foot that he sustained against Miami. “Just precautionary,” a source close to Lagway told Gators Online. “His foot got stepped on (against Miami) … and he felt some foot soreness.”
Johnson is the third defensive starter in consecutive weeks who will be lost for significant time. Redshirt defensive tackle Caleb Banks reinjured his foot in his first game back against LSU and underwent an undisclosed procedure last week at Andrews Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Ala. Edge rusher LJ McCray broke his foot in the Sept. 6 loss to South Florida.
The injuries are piling up for Florida's defense, which has kept the scores competitive in defeats at top five LSU and Miami.
Starting outside linebacker George Gumbs Jr. and defensive lineman Michai Boireau missed Saturday's game with the Hurricanes.
Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Brendan Bett, redshirt sophomore defensive back Aaron Gates and redshirt senior wide receiver J.Michael Sturdivant left the game with injuries. As they watched from the sidelines, Gates' left arm was in a sling and Bett was on crutches.
Coach Billy Napier could address the injuries during the SEC teleconference this Wednesday, but the Gators also will be expected to release an availability report on Oct. 1 in advance of their next game, Oct. 4 in Gainesville against No. 10 Texas.
Redshirt sophomore Cormani McClain will replace Johnson at cornerback. McClain made his second career interception Saturday, giving the Gators a possession in Miami's half of the field and an albeit brief chance to take a lead.