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DJ Lagway injury update: Billy Napier reveals Florida QB's status vs. LSU

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs11/14/24

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Doug Engle (Gainesville Sun) / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Thursday, Florida head coach Billy Napier confirmed quarterback DJ Lagway will return for the Gators on Saturday against No. 16 LSU, per Kevin Brockway. Lagway didn’t play in Florida’s 49-17 loss to Texas last week.

Lagway was unavailable due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in the Gators’ loss to Georgia in Week 10. Before leaving the game, Lagway completed 2-of-his-6 pass attempts for 47 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded 18 rushing yards on four carries.

Backup QB Aidan Warner played in Lagway’s place on Saturday. In the loss to the Longhorns, Warner completed 12-of-his-25 pass attempts for 132 yards and threw two interceptions while failing to find a touchdown.

Lagway has been Florida’s starting quarterback since Graham Mertz sustained a season-ending injury against Tennessee on Oct. 12. In Week 8, Lagway led the Gators to an emphatic 48-20 triumph over Kentucky.

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Although Florida has gone 0-2 since its win over the Wildcats, Lagway has continued to show promising signs. The former five-star prospect has completed 60.9% of his passes this season for 1,071 yards and six touchdowns compared to five interceptions.

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In October, Napier raved about how much DJ Lagway has improved since walking on campus.

“He’s improved fundamentally,” Napier said. “His football intelligence has improved. I think he’s become a really good communicator. And he has a knack. He’s a competitor. You got to be tough-minded. You got to be willing to continue to show up. I think he’s obviously done that. He’ll just keep getting better. I believe that.”

Florida will need Lagway’s talents on Saturday. LSU will be hungry for a win after suffering a blowout 42-13 loss to Alabama last weekend.

Lagway isn’t the only Gator making a return on Saturday. Wide receiver Elijhah Badger will also be back for Florida after missing the team’s loss to Texas last week. Badger is the team’s leading receiver this season, boasting 560 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 24 catches.

Florida and LSU will square off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will air live on ABC.