Florida Gators QB Graham Mertz left the Missouri game in Week 12 with a shoulder injury. Here’s what we know about his current status and the likelihood of his return.
Graham Mertz Injury Update: Latest on Status of Florida QB in Week 12
Mertz suffered an apparent shoulder injury in the third quarter of Florida’s Week 12 contest against the Missouri Tigers. The injury came at the very end of the third quarter. With the Gators down 21-23, Mertz engineered a tough run for a first down, forcing his way past multiple Tigers defenders.
Shortly after that play, Mertz grabbed his shoulder after a handoff. He was then taken off the field, and went to the locker room for further evaluation.
Later, Mertz returned to the sideline in street clothes. It was reported that he may have a broken collarbone — effectively rendering him out for the rest of the game, and potentially the season.
In Mertz’s place, backup QB Max Brown entered the game.
Mertz has been a revelation for the Florida Gators this year after transferring over from Wisconsin. Although Florida as a whole has been very up-and-down, with a 5-5 record through ten games, Mertz himself has been steady, tough, and dependable under center.
Through ten games heading into Week 12, Mertz had completed 247 of 337 pass attempts (73.3%) for 2,720 yards, 18 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He has one of the lowest turnover-worthy throw rates in college football — a stark contrast to his days at Wisconsin.
With his performance this year, Mertz has helped keep the Gators competitive, and he’s also improved his 2024 NFL Draft stock.
A former highly-touted recruit, Mertz has the high-end arm talent and off-platform throwing ability to command interest. But this year, he’s been more accurate and more sound as a decision-maker from the pocket, and he’s shown flashes of anticipation as well.
Next week, the Gators close out their 2023 regular season against the Florida State Seminoles, who lost their starting QB Jordan Travis to a major injury earlier today. If Mertz can’t go, both teams will play their backups for the season finale.