The Gators are hopeful freshman quarterback DJ Lagway can return to action on Saturday when they host LSU at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Gators Seek to Replenish Lineup, Get Injured Players Back Amidst Fight for Bowl Eligibility
Monday, November 11, 2024 | Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The halls of UF's locker room, rattling underneath the cheering of 90,000 fans, have been the frequent destination of Gators during the 2024 season. Florida's training staff has earned its pay as the UF football team has operated as a traveling infirmary.
Now, the Gators may finally be able to reduce the injury report.
Florida head coach Billy Napier opened his Monday press conference by addressing the shifting state of his roster with UF's final home stint looming.
"We do anticipate getting healthier. Hopeful to get a handful of guys back this week," Napier said. "We had a lot of them that were close to being available this past Saturday that didn't quite turn around in time."
The most notable of which was DJ Lagway. Florida's availability reports last week listed the freshman quarterback as "questionable" following a hamstring injury against Georgia on Nov. 2. After going through warmups, Lagway sat while the Gators faced Texas, losing 49-17.
The Willis, Texas, native didn't practice extensively last week, working intermittently with backup Aidan Warner through drills. This week, the Gators expect Lagway to contribute.
"Good thing is we worked him out this morning and felt good about what we saw … we do anticipate him practicing," Napier said.
Lagway's substitute, Warner, has struggled in his two most recent performances. Facing No. 2 Georgia and No. 5 Texas, the redshirt freshman quarterback is 19-for-47 passing for 198 yards and three interceptions. Those numbers may improve over the next few weeks if Lagway can't step back into the lineup. Florida faces LSU and Ole Miss before closing the season at Florida State in the next 19 days. Each ranks 45th or lower in the FBS in passing yards allowed per game.
Lagway's return as the signal caller isn't the only offensive contributor that may step back into the lineup this week to grace Steve Spurrier-Florida Field. Senior receiver Elijhah Badger and running back Montrell Johnson Jr. have missed time, failing to suit up against the Longhorns, as did starting right guard Damieon George Jr.
"We got a bunch of guys. They're doing everything humanly possible to play. I mean, that's one of the things I respect about the group," Napier said, specifically mentioning the efforts of Johnson and Badger to get on the field. He added that Florida is hopeful to get them back against LSU.
Injuries have plagued Florida's defensive backfield the most.
UF is missing three projected starters from the preseason: senior safety Asa Turner, junior cornerback Devin Moore, and senior Jason Marshall Jr. Turner has been out since Florida's opening contest against Miami. Moore and Marshall Jr. (out for the season) have joined the availability report over the last three weeks.
While the Gators have not released an availability report for this week, Florida's defense could use pass coverage and tackling assistance. UF allowed 352 passing yards against Texas, which is its second-highest total this season.
"I feel like we didn't tackle well, so we got [to] clean that up, coming into next week," sophomore edge TJ Searcy said.
Florida's depleted defense will be tested over the next few weeks as LSU and Ole Miss rank in the top 50 in scoring offense, making the return of the Gators' defensive backs even more critical.
While unavailable starters litter Florida's lineup, Napier believes this is part of being an SEC team. He believes squads must turn to backups to compete at this level.
"Your depth is always going to be challenged and when you play in this league," Napier said. "I think we're more equipped probably than we have been. Just playing with threes in some spots."
Some UF backups have stepped into the spotlight and performed well. Freshman running back Jadan Baugh has rushed for 258 yards and six touchdowns over the last three games in the absence of Johnson. A redshirt freshman receiver, Aidan Mizell has caught five passes in the past two weeks. Before November, he had eight receptions in his career.
The Gators want their starters back, but the performances in their wake have provided a glimmer of hope through Florida's recent losses.
While having 14 players on its availability report isn't ideal, Napier doesn't believe it's abnormal. He noted that the implementation of availability reports in 2024 has adjusted the public's viewpoint on injuries.
"I think we're just a little bit more aware of it because we get an injury report Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 90 minutes before the game," Napier said. The Gators expect their ailments to be less notable against the Tigers, though, as Napier added that he's "hopeful [they'll] get some of those guys back."
Florida will step into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, chasing a bowl berth at 4-5. Two more losses and the Gators will be eliminated from postseason contention, but that doesn't appear to be UF's focus amidst its injuries.
"We're putting in the work. We're working hard," redshirt freshman Bryce Lovett, who replaced the injured George in the starting lineup at Texas. "We're going to do our best to finish out the season strong."
Now, the Gators may finally be able to reduce the injury report.
Florida head coach Billy Napier opened his Monday press conference by addressing the shifting state of his roster with UF's final home stint looming.
"We do anticipate getting healthier. Hopeful to get a handful of guys back this week," Napier said. "We had a lot of them that were close to being available this past Saturday that didn't quite turn around in time."
The most notable of which was DJ Lagway. Florida's availability reports last week listed the freshman quarterback as "questionable" following a hamstring injury against Georgia on Nov. 2. After going through warmups, Lagway sat while the Gators faced Texas, losing 49-17.
The Willis, Texas, native didn't practice extensively last week, working intermittently with backup Aidan Warner through drills. This week, the Gators expect Lagway to contribute.
"Good thing is we worked him out this morning and felt good about what we saw … we do anticipate him practicing," Napier said.
Lagway's substitute, Warner, has struggled in his two most recent performances. Facing No. 2 Georgia and No. 5 Texas, the redshirt freshman quarterback is 19-for-47 passing for 198 yards and three interceptions. Those numbers may improve over the next few weeks if Lagway can't step back into the lineup. Florida faces LSU and Ole Miss before closing the season at Florida State in the next 19 days. Each ranks 45th or lower in the FBS in passing yards allowed per game.
Lagway's return as the signal caller isn't the only offensive contributor that may step back into the lineup this week to grace Steve Spurrier-Florida Field. Senior receiver Elijhah Badger and running back Montrell Johnson Jr. have missed time, failing to suit up against the Longhorns, as did starting right guard Damieon George Jr.
"We got a bunch of guys. They're doing everything humanly possible to play. I mean, that's one of the things I respect about the group," Napier said, specifically mentioning the efforts of Johnson and Badger to get on the field. He added that Florida is hopeful to get them back against LSU.
Injuries have plagued Florida's defensive backfield the most.
UF is missing three projected starters from the preseason: senior safety Asa Turner, junior cornerback Devin Moore, and senior Jason Marshall Jr. Turner has been out since Florida's opening contest against Miami. Moore and Marshall Jr. (out for the season) have joined the availability report over the last three weeks.
While the Gators have not released an availability report for this week, Florida's defense could use pass coverage and tackling assistance. UF allowed 352 passing yards against Texas, which is its second-highest total this season.
"I feel like we didn't tackle well, so we got [to] clean that up, coming into next week," sophomore edge TJ Searcy said.
Florida's depleted defense will be tested over the next few weeks as LSU and Ole Miss rank in the top 50 in scoring offense, making the return of the Gators' defensive backs even more critical.
While unavailable starters litter Florida's lineup, Napier believes this is part of being an SEC team. He believes squads must turn to backups to compete at this level.
"Your depth is always going to be challenged and when you play in this league," Napier said. "I think we're more equipped probably than we have been. Just playing with threes in some spots."
Some UF backups have stepped into the spotlight and performed well. Freshman running back Jadan Baugh has rushed for 258 yards and six touchdowns over the last three games in the absence of Johnson. A redshirt freshman receiver, Aidan Mizell has caught five passes in the past two weeks. Before November, he had eight receptions in his career.
The Gators want their starters back, but the performances in their wake have provided a glimmer of hope through Florida's recent losses.
While having 14 players on its availability report isn't ideal, Napier doesn't believe it's abnormal. He noted that the implementation of availability reports in 2024 has adjusted the public's viewpoint on injuries.
"I think we're just a little bit more aware of it because we get an injury report Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 90 minutes before the game," Napier said. The Gators expect their ailments to be less notable against the Tigers, though, as Napier added that he's "hopeful [they'll] get some of those guys back."
Florida will step into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, chasing a bowl berth at 4-5. Two more losses and the Gators will be eliminated from postseason contention, but that doesn't appear to be UF's focus amidst its injuries.
"We're putting in the work. We're working hard," redshirt freshman Bryce Lovett, who replaced the injured George in the starting lineup at Texas. "We're going to do our best to finish out the season strong."
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