Florida State will be without presumptive starting quarterback Sean Maguire when the season begins.
Maguire showed up at FSU’s practice Saturday with a boot on his right foot, and Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher told reporters following practice that Maguire, a fifth-year senior, needs surgery.
Sean Maguire wearing a boot at practice Saturday. pic.twitter.com/xzMvheBnRc
— Warchant.com (@Warchant) August 13, 2016
According to Warchant.com, Fisher said Maguire won’t be available to return to action until the second or third week of the season at least. He’ll have a screw inserted into the foot in the coming days, Fisher said, and is unlikely to be ready for the season opener against Ole Miss in Orlando on Monday, Sept. 5.
Jimbo Fisher says Sean Maguire will be about four to six weeks and will be back later in the season. Says no starter named for now. #FSU
— Warchant.com (@Warchant) August 13, 2016
After initially backing up Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson for the first half of the 2015 season, Maguire emerged as the team’s starter down the stretch. He threw for 1,520 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions on the season.
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Maguire started for FSU in the Peach Bowl against Houston and played for much of the game despite fracturing his left ankle in the first half. Maguire threw for 392 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in the game, a 38-24 loss.
The latest injury for Maguire, who missed all of spring practice rehabbing his left foot, involves his right foot.
Maguire returned to the field for preseason camp and had been competing with redshirt freshman Deondre Francois for the starting role. Francois was Rivals.com’s top-rated dual-threat quarterback in the 2015 recruiting class.
Fisher said Francois will work with the first-team offense moving forward. Behind Francois are redshirt sophomore J.J. Cosentino and true freshman Malik Henry. According to Warchant, Cosentino practiced with the second-team offense Saturday while Henry ran the third-team unit.
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With Maguire sidelined, Francois, Cosentino and Henry are the team’s only healthy scholarship quarterbacks.
For more Florida State news, visit Warchant.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
