Florida football DE Justus Boone out for season with torn ACL

Florida football defensive lineman Justus Boone suffered a torn ACL in Thursday's scrimmage and will undergo surgery in two weeks, head coach Billy Napier confirmed.

Napier said the injury was a non-contact injury after Boone celebrated making a play.

"He was just coming off the field," Napier said. "One of those head-scratchers, you know. Any time a non-contact injury occurs, it causes you to ask questions."

The 6-foot-4, 263-pound Boone was projected to start at strong-side defensive end for UF after coming off a strong spring and postseason workouts. In 13 games with 2 starts last season, Boone finished the year with 24 tackles and 1 sack.

With Boone out, Napier said a number of players could slide into the strong side defensive end position, including Tyreak Sapp, Jack Pyburn, Caleb Banks, true freshman Kelby Collins and true freshman Kamran James.

"We're going to have a little less experience," Napier said. "Justus brings some experience to the table and leadership in general. The challenge here will be replacing that, that starting presence."

Other Florida football injury updates

Napier said that cornerback Jason Marshall Jr., linebacker Scooby Williams and offensive lineman Lyndell Hudson Jr. all should be back practicing this week. All three sat out Thursday's scrimmage. Tight end Dante Zanders, Napier said, will be out a week to 10 days with a leg injury, while Collins will be out for a week with a similar injury.

Billy Napier's thoughts on UF scrimmage

Napier said overall he was pleased with Thursday's scrimmage. He mentioned some tackling issues in space in the secondary as an area the Gators need to work on entering the last week of fall camp.

"We've got really a two-deep here in terms of rotational players," Napier said. "This will be a very, very competitive week as decisions are approaching."