GAINESVILLE — UF quarterback DJ Lagway is making strides to play when the Gators host LSU Saturday in what would be a rapid return from a left hamstring injury.
Coach Billy Napier said Lagway practiced Wednesday, though his workload is modified to prevent a setback. The true freshman remains listed an questionable on the SEC’s availability report, a similar status a week ago as the Gators prepared to visit Texas.
“He’s getting closer and closer to getting ready to play,” Napier said.
Veteran defensive back Trikweze Bridges said Lagway looked like his old self prior to suffering a Grade 2 strain during the second quarter of a Nov. 2 loss to Georgia. Lagway found receiver Ja’Quavion Fraziars deep down the middle during 11-on-11.
“Today he threw one of those balls where you’re like, ‘Oh, yeah, He’s back,’” Bridges said. “It was nice.”
Redshirt junior left tackle Austin Barber praised the grit of the 19-year-old Lagway.
“He’s a gamer,” Barber said. “It’s crazy to see how much effort he’s putting to play.”
Lagway’s steady progress give the Gators (4-5, 2-3 SEC) hope he will return to elevate the passing offense against LSU (6-3, 3-2).
The injury forced on third-string walk-on quarterback Aidan Warner into action even though he did not join the team until fall camp after he transferred from Yale. The redshirt freshman from Winter Park is 19 of 47 for 198 yards with 3 interceptions since taking over for Lagway.
“I have a ton of respect for Aidan Warner and how he’s been playing,” Barber said. “He’s comes in here and works every single day. He went to some big stages and played some football. I’m just really, really proud of him.
“It’s tough, but next man up and he knew that.”
Napier said Lagway will be monitored closely, with every resource available devoted to his return.
“They’re using it all, every gadget we got down here,” Napier said of medical personnel. “He felt better today than he felt yesterday. We’re hopeful that’ll be the case tomorrow.”
Lagway’s injury, though, is sure to limit his dual-threat abilities, something the Tigers have struggled to handle.
During consecutive losses entering Saturday, LSU allowed Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed to 62 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns on 9 carries followed by a 185-yard, 4-touchdown day on just 12 carries by Alabama’s Jalen Milore in last Saturday’s 42-13 loss.
South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers ran for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10 carries during a narrow 36-33 LSU road win Sept. 14.
“Given their structure and the way they play defense, obviously one of the ways to neutralize that is to use the quarterback,” Napier said. “You’ve seen a number of teams do that. Obviously our situation is a little bit different, but overall we’re going to do what we need to do to manage DJ in his injury situation.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
LSU at Florida
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
TV: ABC
Bowl eligible: it’s a big picture, but little process. work as if you’re on a one-day contract.
