RB Trevor Etienne at 'Full Speed' Ahead of Florida vs. South Carolina

Billy Napier offered an injury update regarding Gators running back Trevor Etienne ahead of Florida vs. South Carolina.

Photo: Trevor Etienne; Credit: Zach Goodall

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida will have sophomore running back Trevor Etienne available for its matchup with South Carolina in Week 7, according to head coach Billy Napier. 

Etienne was removed from the program's weekly injury report on Wednesday after appearing on the list in Week 6 with an upper-body injury, which ultimately sidelined him in Florida's matchup with Vanderbilt this past Saturday.

"He’s ready to go," Napier said about Etienne's availability on Wednesday evening. 

Napier shared that Florida limited Etienne in the practice setting on Tuesday and Wednesday, preventing the running back from contact during drills as he got back into a groove. 

“He’s had a great week. He’s full speed," Napier described of Etienne. "We kept him non-contact, but we made an effort to work on ball security so he got some exposure."  

Without Etienne available, starting running back Montrell Johnson Jr. saw an uptick in usage compared to his typical deployment within the position's rotation in Week 6. He rushed for a season-high 135 yards over 18 attempts against Vanderbilt, with freshman back Treyaun Webb gaining 70 yards on four carries in relief.

Etienne's contributions should return the Gators' rushing attack to full strength in its backfield, even though it was effective without him against the Commodores. Before missing a game, Etienne was Florida's leader in rushing output with 358 yards on the season. He's averaged six yards per attempt and scored two touchdowns this year. 

Etienne is not the only significant offensive contributor Florida expects to return in Week 7, as starting left tackle Austin Barber was also removed from the injury report on Wednesday. Barber, too, missed Week 6 in recovery from an injury, to his lower body.

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