Florida's top running back sidelined with 'week-to-week' injury

Florida Gators fall camp is already off to a disappointing start.

According to Gators Online , Gators starting running back Montrell Johnson is week-to-week with a knee injury. Along with the injury, which is considered minor, Johnson had a routine arthroscopic procedure to clean things up on the injured knee.

Although the injury isn't expected to keep Johnson out for an extended period of time, it does put his status up in the air for the team's season opener. It's a big season opener too, with the Gators taking on the Miami Hurricanes on August 31.

Johnson has established himself as Florida's leading rusher. He's rushed for over 1,600 yards with 17 total touchdowns over the last two seasons. The departure of Trevor Etienne has opened up the backfield for Johnson even more heading into 2024. He was expecting to get more touches this season while speaking with reporters at SEC Media Days, but now will be sidelined for crucial practices leading up to the regular season.

A former 3-star recruit out of New Orleans, Johnson originally played for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. He was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year with 838 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns before transferring to Gainesville a year later.

If Johnson can't go for the season opener, the Gators will have to lean on sophomore Treyaun Webb. He was a 4-star running back out of Jacksonville in 2023, and made the most of his limited touches as a true freshman. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry on 26 carries, finding the end zone twice.

Webb will play a bigger role regardless of Johnson's status this season, but expect an even bigger workload early on if Johnson isn't 100 percent healthy when he returns.