Florida quarterback DJ Lagway practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, despite suffering from a strained left hamstring.
The Gators (4-4, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) have officially listed Lagway as questionable for their upcoming game against No. 5 Texas (7-1, 3-1) on Saturday.
Lagway was carted off the field during the second quarter of last weekend’s 34-20 loss to second-ranked Georgia. He injured his hamstring while attempting a 3-yard run in the second quarter. He returned to the sideline in the second half with his leg wrapped and using crutches.
Coach Billy Napier said on Monday that Lagway’s injury was “less significant” than initially feared, and there is “a pathway for recovery” that could allow the highly-rated freshman to return to play this season — potentially even against Texas.
“He’s trying,” Napier said after practice on Wednesday. “He’s a competitor. He’s going back to his home state. He wants to try to find a way to make this work. Obviously, it’s touch and go. Look, the guy’s giving it his best shot.”
Napier added that it will be clear by Saturday whether Lagway will be able to play. Florida is already without starting quarterback Graham Mertz, who is out for the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee during the game at Tennessee last month.
When Lagway left the game last Saturday, the Gators turned to walk-on and Yale transfer Aidan Warner to lead the offense against one of the SEC’s toughest defenses. If Lagway is unable to play, Warner is expected to start in Austin.
“I think he’s gotten a little better each day,” Napier said of Warner. “I thought today was his best day. I think he’s gotten a little more comfortable. He’s obviously taking a few more reps than he normally does.”
No matter who starts at quarterback, the Gators will be missing one of their top receivers when they play Texas. Sophomore Eugene Wilson III had hip surgery in Chicago on Tuesday and will be out for the rest of the season. Napier said Wilson will need about four months to recover.
Wilson, who is from Tampa and the son of a two-time Super Bowl champion safety, is third on the team with 19 receptions for 266 yards and a touchdown.
“(Wilson) had a genetic hip issue that got to a point where we had to clean it up,” Napier said. “We exhausted all resources… I think we made the best decision for his long-term career in terms of little things that the injury was causing from a competition standpoint.”
