Baylor will take the field for its home opener against Prairie View A&M with a thin injury sheet and a notable absence at quarterback.
DJ Lagway is out for Saturday’s game, and senior safety Jacob Redding will miss the entire 2026 season after suffering a torn ACL sometime before Baylor’s opener against Auburn. Lagway’s status had been labeled “day-to-day” by head coach Dave Aranda on Monday, but reports on Friday pointed to him sitting this one out, and that has now been confirmed. The program still hasn’t set a timetable for his return.
Lagway’s injury came last Saturday against Auburn, when he landed awkwardly on his right foot while trying to hurdle a defender. He finished the game, but he wore a large wrap around his right ankle the rest of the way. That issue will keep him out today, and it could linger beyond Week 2.
With Lagway unavailable, Baylor will turn to Nate Bennett. The third-year quarterback has not made a career start yet, though he has appeared in five games over the last two seasons. His first start comes in a home matchup against an FCS opponent, which gives the Bears a workable setup even with the change under center.
Baylor’s unavailable list also includes WR Chase Collier, WR Ashton Jones, WR Jadon Porter, OL Koltin Sieracki, and WR Taz Williams Jr. along with Lagway and Redding.
Saturday’s game is set for 7 p.m. CT at McLane Stadium in Waco and will air on ESPN+ with Mark Neely and Barrett Brooks on the call.
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