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FSU football's QB DJ Uiagalelei, RB Roydell Williams ruled out, but are 'progressing'
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- FSU football's QB DJ Uiagalelei, RB Roydell Williams ruled out, but are 'progressing'
Florida State football's offense (1-9, 1-7) has been sluggish all season, and injuries, especially from the transfer portal players, have contributor factors.
During coach Mike Norvell's weekly press conference Monday, he updated the status of running back Roydell Williams and quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.
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Norvell confirmed that neither would be available for Saturday's game against Charleston Southern at 1:30 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Williams has not played since Week 3 against the Memphis Tigers . He was ruled out indefinitely due to an undisclosed injury.
The Alabama transfer has only rushed for 54 yards and two rushing touchdowns, which is tied the team best with senior back Lawrence Toafili.
Norvell said that he is making progress. He is also optimistic about Williams's return for FSU's season finale against the Florida Gators next week.
"He still has one more game of opportunity to be able to play," Norvell said.
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"We're going to push with everything that we have to probably have him available the next week. He's still just now kind of getting back into the swing of things, and I've liked the progress, liked the work. He's done a great job just trying to pour into the group of running backs."
While Williams' production numbers don't say much, FSU's running game has worsened weekly since he was unavailable.
FSU is ranked 131st with a rushing average of 80.5 yards a game. The Seminoles are also ranked 132nd with five rushing touchdowns.
FSU has lost speedster Jaylin Lucas for the season, and true freshman Kam Davis missed three straight games after being injured during the Duke game on Oct. 18.
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More: At one-year anniversary of Jordan Travis' injury, Florida State football has not recovered
Will we see quarterback DJ Uiagalelei again this season
Oct 5, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (4) in an arm cast before a game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Norvell doesn't believe quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will play another down for the rest of the season.
Uiagalelei suffered a broken finger on Sept. 28 against SMU and reportedly could be out for the r est of the season after having surgery on that finger.
Since then, Uiagalelei has been around the team, helping Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek prepare each week.
"He's progressing, definitely putting in a lot of work on his end of it, but he's been remarkable in the meeting room, and I've talked throughout the course of the year just the way he's been there to help kind of support the quarterbacks, obviously that position group, and obviously this team," Norvell said.
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"He's been at every practice, been very engaged, trying to assist and help, but as he's coming back, he's starting to get a chance to throw the ball a little bit, but I just don't know if it's going to progress in time. But definitely, he's working every day."
Uiagalelei has been FSU's day-one starter since transferring from Oregon State . Despite his struggles, he started every game to the point where he suffered a finger injury in the second half of the SMU game.
In five games played, he has thrown for 1,065 passing yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions. Glenn stepped into the starting role the following week against Clemson .
Kromenhoek saw his first action a gainst Duke. Both QBs have a combined 48 completion percentage and have thrown for 719 passing yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
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Glenn and Kromenhoek are listed as co-starters in this week's depth chart for the Charleston Southern game.
More: Two-Minute Drill for Nov. 18: Weekend wrapup: Gators defeat LSU, Dolphins hold off Raiders
How to watch FSU vs. Charleston Southern
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Date:Saturday, Nov. 23
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Time:1:30 p.m.
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Where:Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee
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TV:ACC Extra/ ESPN+
FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times
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Saturday, Aug. 24:vs. Georgia Tech * (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
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Monday, Sept. 2:vs. Boston College * | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN ( Fubo ) Lost 28-13
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Saturday, Sept. 7:Bye
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Saturday, Sept. 14:vs. Memphis | Noon | ESPN ( Fubo ) Lost 20-12
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Saturday, Oct. 12:Bye
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Saturday, Nov. 2:vs. North Carolina * | 3:30 p.m.| ESPN ( Fubo ) Lost 35-11
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Saturday, Nov. 9:at No. 6 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC ( Fubo , Peacock ) Lost 52-3
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Saturday, Nov. 16:Bye
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Saturday, Nov. 23:vs. Charleston Southern | 1:30 p.m.| ACC Extra/ ESPN+
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Saturday, Nov. 30:vs. Florida
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Saturday, Dec. 6:ACC championship game (Charlotte, N.C)
All times Eastern
* = ACC
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Mike Norvell gives injury report on RB Roydell Williams, QB DJ Uiagalelei
