DJ Lagway injury update: Billy Napier gives unfortunate news on Florida QB

Florida fans are holding their breath late in the second quarter against Georgia, watching quarterback DJ Lagway leave the game with an injury. The cart even came out to take Lagway immediately to the locker room. Redshirt freshman transfer Aidan Warner has entered the game after beginning the season as the third-string guy.

An initial diagnosis has been provided on Lagway via head coach Billy Napier, dealing with a hamstring injury. Napier called the injury a “pretty significant” one, likely meaning Lagway will be out for the remainder of the game.

“He’s got a hamstring,” Napier told ESPN’s Holly Rowe at halftime. “Pretty significant one. But he’s a tough kid. Look, I can promise you one thing, this team will rally behind him for sure.”

Lagway was moving the ball with confidence against Georgia, having Florida out to a 10-3 lead. Getting another score before halftime and then getting the ball out of the break could have been huge for the Gators. But Lagway going down with the injury sucked a lot of life out of the stadium.

Despite completing just two of his eight passes, Lagway has a 43-yard touchdown pass. It was fresh off an interception from UGA quarterback Carson Beck to give Florida the lead. Lagway added 18 rushing yards on four carries, including the three yards on the play in which the injury occurred.

Of course, quarterback injuries have been a key storyline for Billy Napier’s team this year. Graham Mertz tore his ACL against Tennessee and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the season. Lagway took over with a ton of excitement about the offense’s potential.

Questions about Lagway’s status will surely come during Napier’s press conference, win or lose. Florida does have a game next Saturday against Texas, being the second of a five-game stretch to close out the year.

Lagway played high school football at Willis (TX) High School, where he was a Five-Star Plus+. He was the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.