Blake Shapen injury update: Jeff Lebby provides update after leaving game vs. Georgia

Quarterback Blake Shapen left Mississippi State‘s 41-21 loss to Georgia on Saturday in the third quarter after absorbing a large hit. It was the second consecutive game Shapen has left due to an injury. On Monday, Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby provided an update on Shapen’s condition.

“He did not do anything today so it will be evaluating him as we move through the week,” Lebby said. “… If he’s healthy and truly healthy, he’ll start. It’s all about him being healthy. So again, as we evaluate this thing and move through it, we’ll see exactly where we’re at.”

Before leaving the game Saturday, Shapen completed 10-of-his-15 pass attempts for 86 yards. He was sacked twice.

Shapen has had a stellar season for the Bulldogs. He’s completed 65.2% of his passes for 2,234 yards and 15 touchdowns, compared to just six interceptions. Additionally, Shapen has recorded one rushing score.

When Blake Shapen has suffered injuries the past two games, freshman QB Kamario Taylor has replaced him. In his last two appearances, Taylor has completed 8-of-his-15 pass attempts for 127 yards and a touchdown, without throwing an interception.

Taylor is also a significant threat in the ground game. He’s recorded four rushing touchdowns in Mississippi State’s last two games, including three against Georgia. If Shapen is unavailable for Mississippi State’s showdown against Missouri on Saturday, Jeff Lebby feels comfortable with Taylor leading the offense.

“I’ve got great confidence in Kamario,” Lebby said. “We’ve gotta make all the layups and just, man, play inside the scheme, play inside the system. One made some great plays for us. He wants a lot of things back, which I knew that he would.

“As he watched the tape, there’s gonna be great growth for him through playing. That’s the reality of it over these last couple of weeks, and being able to watch the tape, and being able to learn from things. But again, from a confidence standpoint, I’ve got great confidence in him.”

Kamario Taylor was the No. 8 quarterback in the 2025 recruiting cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. If Taylor makes his first career start Saturday, he’ll have a tall task in front of him.

Missouri’s defense only gives up 270.0 total yards of offense per game, the 10th least in the country. Mississippi State fans won’t have to wait much longer to see who starts behind center for the Bulldogs in Week 12.

On Saturday, Mississippi State will square off against Missouri at 6:45 p.m. CT. The game will air live on the SEC Network.