Conner Weigman injury update: Marcel Reed impresses as surprise starter for Texas A&M vs. Florida

Texas A&M starting quarterback Conner Weigman was ruled out of Saturday's matchup against Florida shortly before kickoff.

Instead, backup Marcel Reed started under center for the Aggies for the first time this season, as head coach Mike Elko announced just ahead of the game. Until today, Weigman's exact injury was undisclosed, and he was listed as questionable heading into the weekend. 

After losing to Notre Dame in Week 1, the sophomore quarterback improved the following Saturday against McNeese. Weigman completed 11-of-14 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns in the 52-10 win, and he rushed for 39 yards on four carries. 

Weigman was named the Aggies' starting quarterback last year before suffering a season-ending foot injury in Week 4. Looking to come back strong for the 2024 campaign, he was named to preseason watch lists for the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Here's everything to know about Weigman's injury, including why Reed was the surprise starter for Texas A&M vs. Florida Saturday afternoon.

MORE: Week 3 college football pool picks and expert predictions

Conner Weigman injury update

Weigman was sidelined for the Aggies due to an AC sprain in his right throwing shoulder, according to Elko. He suffered the injury during the team's opening loss to the Irish on Aug. 31, according to the Dallas Morning News. In that game, he only completed 40% of his passes for 100 yards and two interceptions.

The announcement of Weigman's absence Saturday came as a surprise because the quarterback was in uniform and participating in warmups with the first-team offense ahead of kickoff. Additionally, he is reported to have received pain injections before the game.

In the end, though, the team decided that Weigman's injury was too painful to work through despite the medication and a week of recovery.

Who is Marcel Reed?

Reed is a 6-2, 180 pound quarterback from Nashville, Tenn. He was recruited by the Aggies as a 4-star prospect after having been named Tennessee's 2023 Mr. Football. 

Throughout his high school career at Montgomery Bell Academy, Reed threw for 6,357 yards and 62 touchdowns while rushing for 2,277 yards and 38 scores. His junior year he led the team to the Class Division II-AAA state title game and also played in the Tennessee semifinals as a sophomore.

In his redshirt freshman season last year, the quarterback appeared in three games for TAMU. The majority of his action came in the Texas Bowl after Jaylen Henderson exited with an injury the first play of the contest. Reed completed 20-of-33 passes for 361 yards along with 29 yards rushing on 10 carries for one score. Unfortunately, the Aggies couldn't overcome the No. 16 Oklahoma State Cowboys despite Reed's strong performance, losing in Houston 31-23.

MORE: Times, TV channels, live streams for Saturday NCAA Week 3 games

Marcel Reed stats

Reed established himself early in the first half, leading two touchdown drives and two drives ending in field goals. He only had one touchdown pass in the second half, but it was an impressive 73-yard bomb to Cyrus Allen. Here's a look at his stats from the Aggies win.

Passing

• C/ATT: 11-17
• YDS: 178
• AVG YDS: 10.5
• TD: 2
• INT: 0

Rushing

• CAR: 13
• YDS: 83
• AVG YDS: 6.4
• TD: 1
• LONG: 31

MORE: Inside Gators' revolving-door timeline of coaches since Urban Meyer

Texas A&M vs. Florida score

Af halftime of the SEC clash between Texas A&M and Florida, the Aggies held a 20-0 lead. Florida attempted to shift the momentum early in the second with its first score of the game. However, the Gators couldn't stop Reed and the Aggie defense, which returned an interception for a score in the third quarter. 

Florida would score twice more after that but the deficit was too great to overcome, and Texas A&M earned its second win of the year. Here's a look at the final box score from the game.