Florida Gators feeling positive about Vernell Brown III

Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Florida Gators feeling positive about Vernell Brown III

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Oct 14, 2026 7:01 PM ET

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The Florida Gators have been without star wide receiver Vernell Brown III for the past two games.

Perhaps not coincidentally, they've gone 0-2 in the last two games.

Brown hurt his knee before halftime in Florida's 52-28 win over Ole Miss in Week 4.

He did practice today, though, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel, and things are sounding pretty positive.

Thamel's sources say that today's practice was "the best he's looked," and Brown has "a real shot" to play in unranked Florida's massive game against the No. 7 Texas Longhorns this Saturday.

The Gators would love to get Brown back, because their offense has cratered since he's gone out.

From averaging 53.5 points per game and going 4-0 to start the season to averaging just 18 points per game during this two-game losing streak.

Source: Florida star wide receiver Vernell Brown III practiced today and was "the best he's looked" since injuring his knee. He has a "real shot" to play for the Gators at Texas on Saturday after missing the last two games. He has 17 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns in… pic.twitter.com/1Fty9q8BSc
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 14, 2026

Getting Brown back would be huge for Florida, but it won't solve all their injury issues.

Florida QB Aaron Philo is questionable to play vs. Texas with a shoulder injury

Quarterback Aaron Philo is questionable heading into the Texas game because of a shoulder injury he suffered in the Gators' 38-19 loss to South Carolina.

He's been limited in practice, so even if Brown does come back, he may not have his preferred quarterback throwing the ball to him.

If Philo can't play, the Gators will roll with sophomore Tramell Jones Jr., who completed 6-of-8 passes for 40 yards and an interception in the loss to the Gamecocks.

So far this season, Brown, a sophomore from Gainesville, has caught 17 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 15.9 yards per catch.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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