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BREAKING: Gators' QB Graham Mertz Injured vs. Tennessee

The Florida Gators' veteran starter left the game after suffering a non-contact knee injury midway through the third quarter.

Cam Parker

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz (15) during a game between Florida and Tennessee in Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.
Florida quarterback Graham Mertz (15) during a game between Florida and Tennessee in Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. / Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In this story:

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.-- Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz has left the team's matchup against Tennessee with an apparent lower-body injury following an awkward landing after throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Arlis Boardingham.

The injury, which occurred with 7:18 left in the third quarter, came after Mertz twisted his body on the throw and landed awkwardly on his right knee. He limped off the field and proceeded to slam his helmet on the ground once he made it to the sideline. He later went into the injury tent and was seen walking under his own power on the sideline, albeit with a significant limp.

He eventually went into the Gators' locker room and returned to the sideline in street clothes and crutches.

At the time of his injury, Florida led No. 8 Tennessee 10-0 with Mertz throwing for 125 yards while completing 11 of his 15 passes. Freshman DJ Lagway, who had already been rotating throughout the game, replaced Mertz on the next drive and immediately threw an interception, leading to a Tennessee field goal.

Mertz's injury was the second to a UF starter on the drive after running back Montrell Johnson Jr. left the game with a lower-body injury following an awkward tackle on a 20-yard rush. Johnson Jr. had accounted for 85 rushing yards at the time of his injury and was replaced by Jadan Baugh and Ja'Kobi Jackson.

Florida head coach Billy Napier will be expected to give an update on Mertz and Johnson Jr. in his post-game press conference. Tennessee had led the game, 17-10, late in the fourth quarter at the time of the updated story.

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Cam Parker
CAM PARKER

Cam Parker is a contributing writer at AllGators.com of FanNation-Sports Illustrated and is a recent graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in journalism. He also covers and broadcasts Alachua County high school sports with The Prep Zone and Mainstreet Daily News. When he isn't writing, he enjoys listening to '70s music such as The Band or Lynyrd Skynyrd, binge-watching shows and playing with his cat, Chester.

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