Baylor may be heading into Week 2 without the quarterback it hoped to lean on.
DJ Lagway, who left last week’s loss to Auburn with an ankle injury, is now being viewed as doubtful for Saturday’s matchup with Prairie View A&M, according to a report from On3.com’s Pete Nakos. The issue was initially described by Baylor coach Dave Aranda as day-to-day, but that outlook appears to have shifted after Lagway’s right ankle didn’t progress as expected.
“Sources tell On3 that quarterback DJ Lagway suffered a high-ankle sprain in the loss to Auburn. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said earlier this week that the quarterback is day-to-day, and a source told On3 later in the week that Lagway has been trying to fight through it. Sources have said the quarterback is viewed as doubtful against Prairie View A&M, especially with Big 12 play starting in two weeks against Colorado.”
Lagway was hurt at the end of Baylor’s first possession when he tried to hurdle a defender and landed awkwardly on his right foot. The play ended with a fumble and a turnover, and he went to the blue medical tent for treatment. He later came back onto the field with a noticeable wrap around the ankle.
Even after the game, Aranda sounded like a player who might still be available for Week 2, though he acknowledged the limitations. “We have walkthrough today.
DJ will participate and go through the walkthrough,” Aranda said. “He's going for today, and we'll be day-to-day after that.
We'll see after today how Tuesday looks and Wednesday and so forth. Right now, DJ's a day-to-day guy.
“If we get through day-to-day this week, we want to play him.”
Now, though, the picture looks murkier. Nakos’ report points to a setback in Lagway’s recovery, or at least enough concern that Baylor may decide not to push its most important player in a game where mobility matters and Big 12 play is right around the corner.
If Lagway sits, third-year quarterback Nate Bennett would be the likely starter. Bennett has been the backup in 2025 and has appeared in five games since arriving in Waco, but he has fewer than 10 pass attempts and no career starts.
Without Lagway, Baylor would almost certainly lean harder on the run game. Dawson Pendergrass and Caden Knighten handled that load last week, combining for 37 carries and 121 yards against Auburn, a 3.3-yard average. That number could look better this week, especially against a different defensive front.
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