Florida lineman Johnson has career-ending spine issue

Published Apr. 14, 2015 2:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida offensive tackle Rod Johnson has ended his football career because of a spine problem.

Johnson had been expected to start in the fall.

The team released a statement Tuesday saying Johnson has been diagnosed with congenital cervical stenosis. The condition is a narrowing of the spinal canal and prevents enough fluid to gather around the spinal cord. That fluid protects the spinal cord from injury.

Johnson experienced numbness in his fingers and hands after getting injured April 3 during a scrimmage. Coach Jim McElwain initially called it a ''stinger'' but later said it could be career-threatening. Johnson sat out the final week of practice along with Saturday's spring game.

The 6-foot-6, 296-pound Johnson had tests, and Florida's medical team consulted with specialists before recommending he retire.