The Florida Gators held a 10-3 lead over the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 10 when things took a sharp turn. Already missing starting QB Graham Mertz, true freshman QB DJ Lagway went down with what looked like a serious leg injury.
Post-game updates only raised more concerns, casting a shadow over the rest of the season. But in the immediate aftermath, the prognosis may not be as bad.
How Long Will DJ Lagway Be Out?
Despite some mixed feelings about the severity of the injury, it appears that the post-game update confusion may not have been as warranted. In fact, it appears Lagway may not miss as much time as expected.
Following the weekend, and after some initial tests, ESPN’s Pete Thamel indicated that Lagway may even return by Florida’s game against Texas.
According to Thamel, head coach Billy Napier said the injury was ‘less severe’ and he wasn’t ruling out Lagway for the Gators’ game against the Longhorns on Saturday.
This, of course, is a slight deviation from the post-game comments that appeared to put Lagway’s season in question.
At halftime, Napier first confirmed what everyone who had viewed the injury had thought.
“He’s got a hamstring,” Napier said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe on the broadcast. “Pretty significant one, but he’s a tough kid. Look, I can promise you one thing, this team will rally behind him for sure.”
Napier’s comments were then further confirmed when Lagway re-appeared in street clothes with crutches on the sidelines for the second half. Following the game, Napier gave an even further update that may present issues with him in the immediate future.
“It’s soft tissue,” Napier said. “We’ll have more for you next week.”
What Happened to DJ Lagway?
On 1st & 10 from their own 25-yard line, Lagway and the Gators were looking to take a potential two-score lead over Georgia. Lagway took a delayed QB carry up the middle, popped it out to his left side, and appeared to slip on the turf as he went to turn the carry upfield.
It was a non-contact injury and the closer replay showed his leg buckling as the turf came up under his foot. His left leg slid on the ground as he went to play upfield and he immediately clutched his left hamstring.
DJ Lagway is down… pic.twitter.com/TGYLdJwxH9
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 2, 2024
After a lengthy time on the field, Lagway got up and was helped to a waiting cart to be taken off the field.
The Gators already lost Mertz to a torn ACL, and Lagway’s injury now leaves Yale transfer Aidan Warner as the next one in line for Florida. Warner was a three-star recruit from Winter Park High School in the class of 2023, transferring into Gainesville following just one season with the Bulldogs.
Warner finished the game 7-of-22 for 66 yards and an interception.
Lagway entered the Gators program with incredibly high aspirations. A consensus five-star recruit, he is largely seen as the future of the program and had certainly done his part to help motivate and move the offense with consistency as the starter.
His presence on the offense gives the Gators a chance against the Longhorns, given how the game played out with him in the lineup vs. how they fared when he was not in the lineup.
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