GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, who is currently dealing with an injury, participated in workouts this past Monday, and coach Billy Napier expressed optimism regarding his condition. Napier noted that while the coaching staff was pleased with Lagway’s performance during the workout, it’s crucial to understand that a full recovery from soft tissue injuries can vary greatly. He indicated that Lagway might be able to rejoin practice later that same day.

Lagway sustained a left hamstring strain during a 3-yard run in the second quarter of the game against Georgia on November 2, which resulted in him being carted off the field. He was seen later on the sidelines with his leg wrapped and using crutches in the second half. Fortunately, medical assessments showed that the injury was “less significant” than initially anticipated. Last week, Napier mentioned that there is still a potential pathway for the promising freshman to play before the end of the season. Lagway was able to participate in some individual drills last week and even went through warm-ups before his team’s 49-17 defeat against the Longhorns.

The Gators, currently sitting at a 4-5 record with a 2-4 mark in the Southeastern Conference, are in urgent need of Lagway’s presence as they prepare for their upcoming match against LSU, who boasts a 6-3 record and has emerged victorious in their last five encounters against Florida. To secure a spot in bowl games, the Gators will have to secure victories in at least two of their remaining three games.

Currently, the team is already missing starting quarterback Graham Mertz, who underwent season-ending surgery last month to address a torn ligament in his left knee. In Lagway’s absence, Napier has relied on walk-on Aidan Warner, who transferred from Yale. Unfortunately, Warner’s recent performance has been challenging; over the past two weeks, he has completed just 19 of 47 passes for a total of 198 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

When asked about the possibility of switching to fourth-string quarterback Clay Millen, who previously played two seasons at Colorado State following a stint at Nevada, Napier indicated that this was not a consideration. “We were very aware of what was happening,” he stated. “It wasn’t just about Aidan; we believe we can support our quarterbacks better overall. This is the situation we find ourselves in, and it’s essential to prepare as many players as possible to step up.”