Florida’s Johnson Suspended

Florida quarterback Doug Johnson was suspended Wednesday for what his father said was a curfew violation, keeping him out of the Gators’ crucial showdown Saturday at No. 6 Auburn.

His father, Doug Johnson, told The Associated Press the violation took place before the Gators left for Baton Rouge, La., but that Coach Steve Spurrier didn’t find out about it until Tuesday.

Replacing Johnson will be Jesse Palmer, a true freshman from Canada, who has seen only minimal duty this year. The only other quarterback with experience is fifth-year senior Noah Brindise, a former walk-on.

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Senior tight end Chris Jones’ football career is over due to a spinal condition that could have proved fatal during play, Miami Coach Butch Davis said.

Doctors found his condition during an X-ray to determine why the 22-year-old was experiencing numbness in his arms during games. Jones could have died had he been tackled with enough force, according to team doctor John Uribe.

“With the right kind of trauma, Chris’ whole head would basically fall off his neck,” Uribe said.