He’s not throwing in spring practice, and there’s no timetable for his return. 

And that’s about the only certainty this offseason for injured Florida quarterback DJ Lagway. 

This much we do know: if Florida signs a quarterback when the spring portal opens next week, there’s more to unfold from this developing story. 

Florida coach Billy Napier says Lagway has a shoulder injury, and a “lower body” injury. Two people close to the situation, speaking to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Lagway’s shoulder injury could eventually need surgery, and his “lower body” injury is a core injury.

That leaves Lagway, one of the game’s rising stars, with two significant injuries heading into a critical offseason for the Gators. Lagway also had a hamstring injury in 2024 that sidelined him in the second half against Georgia and all of the following week’s game at Texas.

“He’s doing great,” Napier said last week when asked about Lagway during a spring practice media opportunity. “He has been modified in terms of his ability to throw the ball.”

Which is to say, he hasn’t thrown all spring.

SPRING POWER RANKINGS: Big Ten | SEC | ACC | Big 12

The two people close to the situation said the shoulder injury, more than likely, will need surgery at some point. The hope is offseason rest – as many as six months of non-throwing – will strengthen the shoulder, or at least allow Lagway to play the 2025 season. 

He could then have surgery after the season, and be ready for the start of the 2026 season. Lagway initially injured the shoulder in high school, and extended rest and rehabilitation was the course of treatment. 

The Lagway family, in consultation with the Florida staff and team and private physicians, has decided on rest and rehab this offseason instead of any potential surgery — which would now prevent Lagway from playing most or all of the 2025 season.

Napier, who has declined all offseason to explain specifics of the injury, said last week, “Obviously, you know, it’s really more of a holistic approach in terms of what we’re doing with him.”

This is a sticky situation on many levels. Florida has invested significant NIL funds on Lagway, and the Gators are a completely different team when he’s playing. 

He not only led the Gators on a late-season surge with wins over LSU and Mississippi, Florida was leading SEC champion Georgia 13-6 late in the second quarter when Lagway sustained the hamstring injury.

With Lagway, the Gators had the Georgia defense stunned and scrambling to adjust. Without Lagway, the Gators – with walk-on replacement – eventually wore down with a one-dimensional offense in a 34-20 loss. 

Lagway started six games in 2024, and threw for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also averaged 10 yards per attempt, and the Florida offense was drastically different with him under center. 

The Gators officially ended the College Football Playoff hopes of LSU and Ole Miss in back-to-back weeks behind Lagway’s big-play ability, and a rapidly improving defense. The late-season surge became a referendum on Napier and Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin’s call for patience with a young and developing team. 

Now Florida is a sleeper pick for the College Football Playoff.

The problem moving forward: Lagway’s backups are walk-on Aidan Warner, who struggled last season against Georgia and Texas – the SEC’s two best defenses – and one-time blue chip recruit Harrison Bailey, who will be playing for his fourth team this fall (Tennessee, UNLV, Louisville).

Neither of those two would seem to be the answer against one of the nation’s most difficult schedules. The Gators have road games in 2025 against Miami (Fla.), Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss in addition a neutral-site game against Georgia and home games against Texas and Tennessee.

The idea of Warner and/or Bailey winning any of those games seems far-fetched, even though Bailey threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns in his only start at Louisville — a bowl win over Washington. 

Warner has played the best of the two in spring drills, and both will get a majority of the repetitions in Saturday’s spring game. Maybe one of the two separates in that game, and the staff doesn’t feel the need to add from the portal. 

And at this point, any addition from the spring portal – which officially opens April 16 for 10 days – who is good enough to start Day 1 would have to accept the reality that it may not happen in 2025. 

For now, the focus is on Lagway and his injured shoulder. It’s the difference between a playoff sleeper, or the great unknown. 

That might be the only certainty this offseason at Florida.  

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi is still full of epic and magical moments on the soccer pitch, even at this stage of his legendary career.

Messi scored two goals — including a penalty kick in the 84th minute — to help Inter Miami overcome a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 on aggregate score against Los Angeles FC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night at Chase Stadium.

As the match went final, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas hugged first-year coach Javier Mascherano on the pitch. Co-owner David Beckham also began celebrating on the sidelines.

And the celebration continued into Inter Miami’s locker rooms as players banged on their lockers while listening to loud music, all while Mascherano tried his best to give his postgame press conference in the adjacent room.

Mascherano said he told Mas you must have a little bit of luck to win these types of matches.

It also helps when you have one of the greatest ever leading the way.

“(Messi) is the soul of this team,” Mascherano said after his former Barcelona and Argentina teammate led Inter Miami to victory.

“Sometimes I feel uncomfortable talking about him because I’ve been his teammate for 20 years and now it’s my turn to help him in this stage of his career as a coach. He’s a guy who has already done it all in football. He’s the greatest in history, and he’s still setting an example of how to compete. He’s still leading the way and guiding the new generations.

“Beyond having won everything, until the last day he plays on a pitch, he will want to win and will do the impossible to win. … Football is not just about wanting to win, you also have to be able to win. And he has that ability, because he is the greatest of all.”

Messi’s first score of the match – and Inter Miami’s first score in the two-game quarterfinal series, which started in Los Angeles last Wednesday – came in the 35th minute.

It was a much-needed response after Aaron Long scored in the 10th minute to double LAFC’s lead. Nathan Ordaz scored in the first leg last week, but no other LAFC player was able to find the net again.

“It’s the same story against this team. If you do not vary your chances, they will hang around and hang around, and punish you,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said after the loss. “If there’s anything to criticize us for, it’s not burying them when we had them.”

Messi willed Inter Miami in this match, even overcoming two highlight moments that were ultimately voided after referees held video reviews, until the final breakthrough.

Messi scored on a free kick before his first goal, but the score was disallowed after he started the play before everyone else did. The referee did not blow his whistle, LAFC players argued. And the goal was taken off the board in the 30th minute.

Messi also nearly had an assist to Luis Suarez, who headed in a goal in the 67th minute. That should have been the game-winner before it was determined Suarez was offsides on his run into the box.

Six minutes earlier, Inter Miami defender Noah Allen kicked a chip shot into the goal that nearly grazed the head of midfielder Federico Redondo in the 61st minute, to tie the series.

Then, the stage was set for Messi’s penalty kick after LAFC’s Marlon Santos – who played at Barcelona from 2017-18 with Messi – was called for a handball inside the box in the 82nd minute.

Messi shined in the moment — just like his first goal with Inter Miami, when he scored a game-winning free kick on July 21, 2023.

Now, Inter Miami will play in the semifinals of the Champions Cup for the first time in the franchise’s brief history (starting play in 2020).

“That’s why football is so beautiful because in football, chance plays a more important role than in other sports. And well, this side of the coin fell on our side today,” Mascherano said.

Shortly after Messi’s second goal, he was leveled by Santos, starting a little bit of a brawl between both teams before the match concluded. The former Barcelona teammates later shook hands after Messi spent some time on the pitch in distress after referees were able to control the chaos.

Inter Miami goalie Oscar Ustari made three final, crucial saves, while Redondo also blocked an attempt in the final minutes to help Messi’s side prevail.

Inter Miami is three matches away from another trophy after playing without legendary midfielder Sergio Busquets, who served a one-match tournament suspension for two yellow cards incurred during earlier matches.

The club lost to Atlanta United in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs without an injured Busquets to spoil their pursuit of the league title, after winning the Supporters’ Shield.

Now, Inter Miami will face the Vancouver Whitecaps – a fellow MLS club that ousted LIGA MX side Pumas in Mexico City late Wednesday night. Tristian Blackmon’s goal in the 93rd minute helped Vancouver win 3-3 with two away goals to break the tie and reach the semifinal.

Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL will play in the other Champions Cup semifinal. The first leg of the semifinals will be April 22-24, and the second leg of the series will be April 29-May 1.

Before then, Inter Miami and LAFC both return to MLS regular-season play. LAFC hosts San Jose on Saturday night, while Inter Miami visits the Chicago Fire on Sunday.

“I am grateful to them for this unforgettable night that they gave us all,” Mascherano said.

Inter Miami vs. LAFC highlights

Inter Miami 3, LAFC 1: Messi scores penalty kick

Lionel Messi’s penalty kick goal turned out to be the winner for Inter Miami, which went up 3-2 on aggregate against LAFC.

Luis Suarez scores header on Messi assist, but goal disallowed: Inter Miami 2, LAFC 1 (Score tied 2-2)

Inter Miami nearly had a lead in this game, and this quarterfinal series on aggregate score. But referees ruled offsides after another exciting sequence. Luis Suarez scored a header on an assist from Lionel Messi in the 67th minute, but the goal was disallowed a lengthy VAR from referees.

It’s the second time this match Inter Miami had a goal taken off the board.

Noah Allen scores goal: Inter Miami 2, LAFC 1 (Series tied 2-2 on aggregate score)

Inter Miami midfielder Federico Redondo nearly grazed his head on a chip pass from defender Noah Allen, but Allen is the goal scorer to find the net in the 61st minute to tie this match. LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead tried to deflect the score, but he only aided Inter Miami’s score.

So, the score is 2-1 in this game for Inter Miami. But this Champions Cup quarterfinal is tied 2-2 on aggregate score.

Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi tee off on goal: Inter Miami 1, LAFC 1 (LAFC 2-1)

Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi both teed off with shots toward the net in the 42nd minute before halftime, but both were unable to connect during the busy sequence defended by LAFC goalie Hugo Lloris.

Messi scores goal for Inter Miami: Inter Miami 1, LAFC 1 (LAFC 2-1)

All Lionel Messi needs is to turn a corner, and he’ll find a way to find the net.

Messi scores in the 35th minute to help Inter Miami tie this match at 1, but they still trail 2-1 in aggregate score in the series against LAFC. He was assisted by Jordi Alba on the play.

Still, Inter Miami needs two more goals to advance to the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

Messi scores free kick goal, but referees disallow: LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0 (LAFC 2-0)

Lionel Messi scored a free kick before any LAFC player appeared ready for the play, and the goal nearly counted before a referee took the goal off the board.

Messi’s score won’t count because it did not appear a whistle was blown by the referee to continue play.

On Messi’s second attempt, his kick collided into a wall of LAFC defenders than his own teammate Maxi Falcon.

Timmy Tillman, Denis Bouanga nearly score: LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0 (LAFC 2-0)

LAFC’s Timmy Tillman and Denis Bouanga nearly scored with shots on goal, but Inter Miami goalie Oscar Ustari was able to defend well despite surrendering the early goal.

Messi fires shot toward goal, but misses: LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0 (LAFC 2-0)

Messi fired a shot toward goal in the 18th minute, but it was punched away by LAFC goalie Hugo Lloris.

Aaron Long goal: LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0 (LAFC leads 2-0 on aggregate score)

A crowded sequence in the goal area has Inter Miami down by two in this Champions Cup quarterfinal against LAFC.

LAFC’s Aaron Long was able to score in the 10th minute to take a 1-0 lead in this match, and 2-0 in aggregate score during the series.

Inter Miami’s climb to come back is even steeper, following the score.

Lionel Messi waves to fans during pregame warmups

How to watch Inter Miami vs. LAFC Champions Cup on TV, live stream?

The match will be available in English on FS1, and in Spanish via TUDN and ViX.

What time is Inter Miami vs. LAFC Champions Cup match?

The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT, 9 p.m. in Argentina).

Is Lionel Messi playing tonight?

Yes, Messi is in Inter Miami’s starting lineup against LAFC. Here are the lineups for both teams:

Inter Miami vs. LAFC betting odds 

Inter Miami has -135 odds to win at home, while a draw is +290 and a LAFC win on the road is +310. Messi is -110 odds to be an anytime goal scorer, according to BETMGM. 

Inter Miami vs. LAFC prediction 

Inter Miami 3, LAFC 1: Lionel Messi works his magic to score two goals and assist Luis Suarez for another to lead Inter Miami, while Denis Bouanga makes things interesting with a goal for LAFC. Inter Miami advances 3-2 on aggregate score in a thriller. — Safid Deen, USA TODAY Sports’ Lionel Messi reporter.

Inter Miami to play without Sergio Busquets 

One of Inter Miami’s core of former Barcelona stars will not play tonight vs. LAFC: Legendary midfielder Sergio Busquets is serving a tournament suspension after picking up his second yellow card in the first leg in Los Angeles last Wednesday. Inter Miami will rely on second-year midfielders Yannick Bright and Federico Redondo to replace their most reliable veteran. 

Inter Miami/LAFC winner could face MLS team in Champions Cup semifinal 

After the Inter Miami-LAFC match, the Vancouver Whitecaps will visit Pumas in Mexico City (10:30 p.m. ET on FS1). That series is tied, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week in Canada. 

One semifinal is already set between two LIGA MX clubs: Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL advanced after winning their quarterfinals on Tuesday night. Cruz Azul beat Club America, 2-1, while Tigres ousted the reigning MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy, 3-2. 

AUGUSTA, Ga. – As the Masters gets underway, here are sports columnist Dan Wolken’s five bold predictions for how this week will turn out.

This year will produce the lowest (real) winning score since 2015

Putting aside Dustin Johnson’s 20-under par during the COVID Masters played in November 2020 when course conditions were completely different than in the spring, nobody has come close over the past decade to Jordan Spieth’s 18-under in 2015. The winner this year will need to be around that neighborhood because of the ideal scoring conditions in store this weekend. In recent years, Augusta National has been impacted by severe weather on at least one or two days including last year when ridiculous 30-40 mph winds swept through Thursday and Friday. But this year, there’s really no wind in the forecast and only a small chance of rain Friday, which would do nothing but soften the course a bit. Combined with the rain the course received Monday, it’s going to be about 70 degrees and sunny every day with calm conditions. It should be a birdie assault on Augusta.

The winner of the Masters will eagle No. 13 on Sunday

Lengthening the 13th hole to 545 yards with the new back tee box seems to have had a big impact on scoring. There were just 108 birdies for the entire tournament each of the past two years since the change and only 12 combined eagles on the hole known as “Azalea.” Compare that to, say, 2019 when there were 158 birdies and 17 eagles. Increasing the distance from 510 yards has brought the average score up fractionally, from around 4.6 strokes most years to around 4.7 and change the past two. Of course, weather plays a big factor so it’ll take several more years to see the true impact of making the hole 35 yards longer. But Fred Ridley, the tournament chairman, said Wednesday he believes more players are going for the green in two because drives that leak out to the right are not reaching the trees like they used to. “Our motivation was to create more excitement and have more players go for the green,” he said. With more players trying to eagle the hole but fewer actually doing it, it makes sense that someone is going to hit the right approach and create separation on the leaderboard at that key spot on the course. Why not this year?

Phil Mickelson will be in the mix Sunday

Lefty feels a little bit like a museum artifact these days, given that he’s 54 and hasn’t won an official tournament since the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on the senior tour in November 2021. But he does know his way around Augusta, as he proved two years ago by sneaking into a tie for second behind Jon Rahm with a final round 65. Interestingly, that was only Mickelson’s third top 10 since he last won the tournament in 2010. But what’s more important is that he seems to be in good form lately with a third and a sixth place in the past three LIV events. Winning the event is probably beyond his reach, but it’s not a shock to see an old guy on the leaderboard at the Masters simply due to knowing how to play the course. This feels like a good spot for the three-time champion to make one last big run at the title.

Rory McIlroy will lose the Masters in a playoff

At this point, the world’s No. 2-ranked player has lost majors in just about every heartbreaking way known to man, especially the past few years. Couldn’t make a birdie putt in the final round at St. Andrews. Couldn’t hold off Wyndham Clark at L.A. Country Club. Couldn’t close the deal against Bryson DeChambeau at Pinehurst. What’s the one thing he hasn’t done? Lose a major in a playoff. Before McIlroy wins his career Grand Slam at the Masters, he has to complete has Grand Slam of disappointments. You can say he already has his what-if moment at this course back in 2011 when he had the lead going into the back nine on Sunday before blowing up with a triple bogey on No. 10 and a four-putt on No. 12. But that was a long, long time ago and the current Rory cycle demands that he lose a major in a playoff before he starts winning them again. Those are the rules.

There will be a first-time Masters winner this year

Who beats McIlroy in the playoff? It will be someone crowned as a major champion for the first time. The highest-ranked player without a major is a fairly obvious pick: Ludvig Aberg, the 25-year-old Swede who finished second last year in his Masters debut. But Aberg hasn’t played that well lately, missing the cut in his two most recent events. Next on the list is Russell Henley. Russell who? He’s not a household name, but the native Georgian is playing the best golf of his life at 35 and ranked No. 10 in the world after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month. After that comes Viktor Hovland, who would admit that his swing is a mess. Then Maverick McNealy, who has never played the Masters or finished better than 23rd in a major. Then it’s Tommy Fleetwood, who can’t seem to put it all together when it counts. Next comes Sepp Straka, who is too streaky to pick. Then we get to Patrick Cantlay, who is probably due to win a major and has played well this year. So that’s the pick. It’s Cantlay.

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has had a technical foul rescinded by the NBA after being ejected from Tuesday night’s road loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Doncic was thrown out of the 136-120 defeat in the fourth quarter, with the Lakers forced to wait at least one more game to get the win that would clinch them a playoff spot. Making matters worse for Los Angeles, the ejection came just seconds after Doncic had given them a one-point lead. Oklahoma City ended up pouncing, outscoring the Lakers 29-12 to win.

However, the NBA announced Wednesday that Doncic’s second technical won’t count against his total for the season. The superstar guard will make his much-anticipated return to Dallas, as the Lakers face the Mavericks, later Wednesday night. Los Angeles (48-31) is in third in the West’s playoff race, but there are no fewer than four teams right behind the Lakers with 47-32 records, and the Minnesota Timberwolves (46-33) are still in touching distance.

Here’s what to know about Doncic having his second technical rescinded from Tuesday’s loss:

Why was Luka Doncic’s second technical overturned?

With 7:40 to go, the Lakers guard drove toward the basket before pulling up to hit a floater, giving them a 108-107 lead. While Oklahoma City inbounded the ball, Doncic turned toward the sideline and appeared to shout something as he jogged back up the court.

Referee J.T. Orr, who happened to be in Doncic’s line of sight, immediately whistled the star, giving him a second technical foul and ejecting him.

Doncic immediately began to plea his case, gesturing toward fans in courtside seats at Paycom Arena, but Orr and the rest of the officials were unmoved. At the time, Orr believed Doncic was addressing him.

Following the game, head official Tony Brothers responded to questions from pool reporter Chris Brunt on the decision, saying that Doncic ‘looked directly at an official and used vulgar language.’

Doncic said after the game that he was talking back to a trash-talking fan, with Thunder courtside regular Jeremy Price telling The Oklahoman that the exchange was between him and Doncic.

‘I’ve never gotten a fan ejected,’ Doncic told reporters. ‘But if he’s gonna talk, I’m gonna talk back, like always. That had nothing to do with the refs. I didn’t really understand [the ejection].’

When that call was reviewed by the league office Wednesday, it was determined Orr was not certain Doncic was addressing him.

Is it common for the NBA to overturn technical fouls?

Yes. It is common practice for the league office to review technical fouls (players are automatically ejected if they pick up a second technical in the same game) and make sure they were assessed properly. If a second technical foul is called, the referee must be certain of the call and it must stand up under review.

How many times has the NBA overturned a technical foul?

Many.

The league office has overturned technical fouls six times in the past five weeks and nine times in the past two months.

For example, Cleveland’s Max Strus had one rescinded two days ago; Boston’s Jayson Tatum had one rescinded last week; Washington’s Bub Carrington on March 23; and Miami’s Davion Mitchell and Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse saw theirs overturned March 27, according to NBAOfficial on X.

How many technicals can a player acquire before having to sit out?

NBA rules state any player with 16 technicals in one regular season must serve a one-game suspension. Doncic now has 13 with three games remaining. If he picks up No. 16 before Sunday’s regular-season finale, he will have to sit out. If he picks up No. 16 on Sunday, he will be suspended for the next regular-season game – which would be in 2025-26.

Would Luka Doncic miss a playoff game if he gets his 16th technical Sunday?

No. If Doncic picks up a 16th technical during the regular-season’s final game, his suspension would be served during the first regular-season game of the 2025-26 season.

Players’ technical foul totals go back to zero when the playoffs begin.

How many players have gotten 16 technicals this season?

Two. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and Houston’s Dillon Brooks.

Are other NBA players close to getting a 16th technical?

As teams wind down the regular season, which ends Sunday, here is who is near the line:

Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart: 14
Atlanta’s Trae Young: 13
Doncic: 13
Four other players with 12