Ventrell Miller injury update Week 3 vs. USF

For the second straight year, the Florida Gators are losing linebacker Ventrell Miller to injury heading into Week 3 of the season.

In 2021, Miller tore his bicep in a Week 2 matchup with the USF Bulls. This season, he’ll miss the rematch because of a lower-body injury, according to Florida’s Week 3 depth chart.

While last year’s injury kept him out for the remainder of the season, it’s unclear just how bad things are for Miller this time around. Head coach Billy Napier left it at “he won’t play this week,” which leaves plenty to the imagination.

The team lost its identity when Miller went down a year ago, and it was a big decision to return for a sixth year to the program. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. called him the “quarterback of the defense,” and said that losing him “makes it very difficult” for the team.

Miller is a loud, experienced presence that’s helped guide UF’s defense over the first two weeks of the year. He’s second on the team with 15 total tackles and came up big a few times against Utah.

Jeremiah Scooby Williams will step into the starting role, per the depth chart, but expect plenty of field time for true freshman Shemar James as well. Amari Burney is now the lead man in the position group.

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