Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Second-year freshman forward Chase Johnson was released from concussion protocol Wednesday and practiced in a full-contact capacity with the Florida basketball team.

Johnson, the 6-foot-9, 220-pounder from Ripley, W.Va., suffered a pair of concussions early in his true freshman year, the second coming in just the fourth game, and sat out the remainder of the season, and ultimately was granted a medical redshirt year. A neck injury sidelined him during the 2018-19 preseason, but he returned to play against Charleston Southern and La Salle — Johnson scored six points and grabbed three rebounds in six minutes of the latter — before taking a forearm to the head during practice Nov. 19, the day the team left for the Bahamas to play in the Battle 4 Atlantis. 

Most of the previous three weeks had been spent watching from the sidelines and soaking up mental reps, with some occasional non-contact work, as he dealt with headaches. Now, he can take part in all drills and, for now, will do so while wearing a piece of headgear similar to the one that former forward Casey Prather wore during the 2012-13 season when dealing with multiple concussions.  

"It's been frustrating, but I also know it's something I can't control," Johnson said after practice. "I've tried to stay positive and make the best out of it."

But concussion tests by the UF health staff showed all clear this week and Johnson returned to the court Wednesday with his teammates, who were off the last two days. Now, he can take part in all drills and, for now, will do so wearing a piece of headgear similar to the one that former forward Casey Prather wore during the 2012-13 season when recovering from multiple concussions.  

Though weeks behind in his game shape and on-court familiarity with the system, Johnson is expected to be available if called on when the Gators (5-4) next take the floor Tuesday night at home against Mercer (4-6), thus giving UF a potential extra body to throw into a thin front-court mix.