Graham Mertz officially ruled out for Florida State game
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators will be without starting quarterback Graham Mertz when they host the Florida State Seminoles this weekend at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Mertz was injured on a run late in the loss to Missouri and suffered a nondisplaced fracture of his collarbone.
“We took another image yesterday,” Florida head coach Billy Napier said on Monday. “We felt good about that image. We’re going to go on a two-week period here where the fracture will start growing back.”
Mertz reappeared on the Gators sideline midway through the fourth quarter, no longer in shoulder pads and instead wearing a blue windbreaker-type jacket. His left arm could be seen bulging under the jacket, kept elevated in a sling as the left sleeve on the jacket dangled idly.
“But that left arm is currently in a sling. They x-rayed him. As you guys saw, he was pointing to his collarbone when he was on the field. He has been, unfortunately, ruled out for the rest of the game as you guys can imagine,” ESPN sideline reporter Katie George relayed.
Mertz will finish the season with 2,903 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He completed 72.9% (261-358) of his pass attempts.
Graham Mertz and Jordan Travis will miss the game
Graham Mertz won’t be the only quarterback out this weekend. Florida State will also be without its starting quarterback, Jordan Travis. The senior quarterback suffered a severe leg injury.
Travis released a message from the hospital after having surgery over the weekend.
“I truly cannot thank everyone enough for the many thoughts, prayers and messages that have been sent my way. I have been overwhelmed by the support from my teammates, coaches, the Florida State community and those all around the world,” wrote Travis, via Florida State on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Although the injury I sustained on November 18th, 2023, marks the end of my Seminole playing career, the great memories created here at FSU will never fade. Being the quarterback here at Florida State University has been a dream come true. I am humbled, honored and forever grateful.
“The journey this team set out on is not over yet as all of our goals still lie just ahead. I am excited to be by my brothers’ sides every day as we continue our attack. We’re all we got, we’re all we need. Job’s not finished. Go Noles!”
Florida and Florida State will meet on Saturday night in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at 7:00 p.m.
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier celebrates with Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) after a touchdown during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/13155133/Untitled-design-65-2.png)
