Florida Gators wide receiver Bailey Stockton received an encouraging update after a helmet-to-helmet collision during the second quarter of the game against No. 4 Ole Miss. Joenel Aguero, a Rebels safety, made contact, and Stockton needed help from Florida’s medical staff afterward.
Stockton was taken to Florida’s injury tent, where the staff was already evaluating a second Gators receiver, Vernell Brown III. ABC sideline reporter Katie George said Brown had to leave the tent so Stockton could be assessed.
George reported that Stockton later exited the tent, requested his helmet and ran along the sideline. Those developments offered some positive indications after the collision, but Florida had not announced a diagnosis or confirmed whether Stockton had been cleared to return when she provided the update.
Dr. Ribu Thomas outlined two possible paths for the receiver’s recovery. He said Stockton could be dealing with a lower-back bruise or muscle strain and return once he is able to sprint, leap and absorb contact without guarding the area. He also said imaging could reveal a structural issue, or head-related symptoms could emerge, which could keep Stockton out for a longer period.
