Florida QB DJ Lagway takes another step toward returning from a strained left calf
Although still wearing a noncontact jersey, Lagway stepped on the field for 11-on-11 drills for the first time since straining his left calf while running with teammates in July.
The sophomore had been 'modified' in practice for three weeks, limited to throwing mostly on the side and in individual drills. It was the latest injury for the Heisman Trophy hopeful who missed spring practice with a shoulder injury after undergoing sports hernia surgery.
'He's feeling much better, and he's moving around well,' Napier said following practice Monday.
Florida's star player also was limited last fall with shoulder soreness and slowed in November because of a strained left hamstring.
The Gators, who won their final four games last season, open the season Aug. 30 against Long Island University.
Lagway completed 60% of his passes for 1,915 yards, with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024. He took over the starting role after Graham Mertz tore a knee ligament at Tennessee in October.
The Gators have little experience behind Lagway, with former Yale transfer Aidan Warner, freshman Tramell Jones Jr. and college journeyman Harrison Bailey competing for the backup role.
'It's still very much a battle," Napier said. "I wish I had more clarity, but I don't. So we'll continue to work with that group this week, and the closer we'll get (to the opener), the more clarity we'll have. So still nothing clear cut.'
___
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
a few seconds ago
- Associated Press
Julio César Chávez Jr. deported to Mexico for alleged cartel ties and drug trafficking
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been deported to Mexico, where he's wanted for alleged cartel ties, following his arrest in the U.S. for overstaying his visa and lying on a green card application. Chávez was handed over by authorities and admitted to a prison in the northern state of Sonora, an official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. Chávez, 39, had a warrant for his arrest in Mexico for alleged arms and drug trafficking and ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Alejandro Gertz Manero, Mexico's attorney general, said the investigation into Chávez started in 2019. The boxer, who is the son of legendary Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez, was arrested July 3 days after his high-profile fight with Jake Paul in California. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said after the arrest she hoped the boxer would be deported to face his charges. Chávez's father was a massive celebrity in the 1980s and '90s who mixed social circles with drug dealers and claimed to have been friends with drug lord Amado Carrillo Fuentes. The younger Chávez has battled drug addiction for much of his boxing career, failing drug tests, serving suspensions and egregiously missing weight while being widely criticized for his intermittent dedication to the sport. Chavez won the WBC middleweight title in 2011 and defended it three times. He shared the ring with generational greats Canelo Álvarez and Sergio Martinez, losing to both. In 2012, he was convicted of drunken driving in Los Angeles and sentenced to 13 days in jail. In January 2024, he was arrested on gun charges. Police said he possessed two AR-style ghost rifles. He was later freed on a $50,000 bond and on condition he went to a residential drug treatment facility. The case is still pending, with Chávez reporting his progress regularly. ___ AP boxing:
Associated Press
a few seconds ago
- Associated Press
Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker gets some rest as he tries to break out of a prolonged slump
CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Tucker is trying to break out of a prolonged slump, and the Chicago Cubs are doing whatever they can to help the All-Star outfielder. Nothing is working at the moment. Tucker was out of the starting lineup for the opener of a split doubleheader against Milwaukee on Tuesday. He is batting .148 (8 for 54) in August, and he has just two extra-base hits — both doubles — in his last 24 games. A day after manager Craig Counsell said they were 'going to have to take a little step back' with Tucker and give him some days off to reset, the plan for the slugger seemed unclear. Tucker said he might get into the doubleheader opener at some point, and Counsell left open the possibility of him playing on Tuesday. 'We talked Sunday night a little bit and, you know, we put a lot on the table and then we'll see where that goes,' Counsell said. Tucker has some company. Going into Tuesday's action, the Cubs were averaging 3.6 runs per game since the All-Star break, compared with 5.3 in the first part of the season. The slumping offense has played a role in Chicago falling nine games behind surging Milwaukee in the NL Central. The 28-year-old Tucker jammed his right ring finger during an awkward slide in a victory over Cincinnati on June 1. He missed one game and then made a pinch-hitting appearance before returning to the starting lineup on June 5. 'I'm fine,' Tucker said Tuesday. 'I mean, I've played, you know, for the most part every game this year. So I'm fine going out there.' Tucker was acquired in a trade with Houston in December. He is eligible for free agency after this season, but he said that isn't a factor in his trouble at the plate. He got off to a terrific start in his first season with Chicago, batting .290 with 17 homers, 52 RBIs and a .923 OPS in his first 85 games. He made the All-Star Game for the fourth time. But he hasn't been the same player since the break, hitting .182 (16 for 88) with one homer, six RBIs and a .572 OPS in his last 26 games. Asked if he could recall a similar slump at the plate, Tucker responded: 'Probably not this long.' 'But, I mean I think everyone's had stretches where they have, you know, not done that great or whatever,' he continued. 'I don't know. I'm just trying to figure it out.' While Tucker is known for his reserved, steady demeanor, there are signs that the slump is taking a toll on him. He was slow getting out of the box on a grounder that was momentarily bobbled by Milwaukee first baseman Andrew Vaughn in the fourth inning of Monday's 7-0 loss to the Brewers. He had a similar moment in the sixth inning of Sunday's 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh, leading to some boos from the crowd at Wrigley Field. 'I mean it's kind of exhausting. I don't know how many times I've rolled over to first or second,' Tucker said. 'Regardless you still got to run down the line whether you're out by 50 feet or not. But I mean it's just a little tough right now.' While explaining what Tucker is working on at the plate, Counsell pointed to his first at-bat of Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, when the slugger bounced to first on a 3-1 fastball right over the plate. 'There's separation from what he wants and what's happening, what he thinks he feels and what's happening,' Counsell said. 'And you just, you try to just keep working on that and it's a little thing that puts it back in place. It's probably a simple thing that puts it back in place. It's a swing, doesn't have to be like a successful swing even. Could be a foul ball that puts it back in place.' ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
3 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Marseille puts Rabiot and Rowe on transfer list for reported locker room fight
MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Marseille's season is already in turmoil after France midfielder Adrien Rabiot and England Under-21 forward Jonathan Rowe were put on the transfer list Tuesday and told to leave the club for 'unacceptable behavior.' The pair reportedly argued and fought in the locker room after Friday's 1-0 loss to Rennes, which prevailed with a stoppage-time goal despite being down to 10 players in their Ligue 1 season opener. Marseille's move puts doubt into team-building plans for coach Roberto De Zerbi just one week before the 1993 Champions League winner takes part in the draw for this season's competition. 'This decision was taken due to unacceptable behavior in the dressing room after the match against Rennes,' Marseille said in a statement. Rabiot and Rowe have been exiled 'in agreement with the technical staff and in accordance with the club's internal code of conduct,' said the club whose majority owner is American businessman Frank McCourt, the former Los Angeles Dodgers owner. Marseille qualified for the Champions League by finishing runner-up to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 in De Zerbi's first season at the club. The 30-year-old joined as a free agent last September after his contract expired at Juventus. Weeks earlier, Rowe had moved from English second-tier Norwich on an initial loan deal that was made permanent before this season. The transfer window in Europe closes Sept. 1. ___ AP soccer:
