Gator’s Neiron Ball expected to miss season

A vascular condition that kept Florida’s Neiron Ball from participating in spring practice will probably make him unavailable for the entire 2011 season as well, the player’s brother-in-law told the Orlando Sentinel.

Dary Myricks told the paper that the condition – arteriovenous malformation — and subsequent surgery will most likely prevent the linebacker from playing in 2011. When the congenital condition was first discovered back in February, it was feared his football career may have come to a premature end as a result; that still remains to be seen, although there appears to be more optimism today than there was five months ago.

“He’s healthy. He’s fine,” Myricks said. “He’s probably going to miss next season. …