Aggies QB Jaylen Henderson Underwent 'Successful' Surgery Following Texas Bowl Injury

Originally posted on Texas A&M Aggies on SI
By Cole Thompson | Last updated Dec 28, 2023 8:38 PM ET

Texas A&M quarterback Jaylen Henderson should be good to go in 2024.

The sophomore quarterback underwent a “successful” surgery, Henderson posted to X Thursday evening. Henderson underwent an operation on his non-throwing arm after suffering an injury in a 31-23 loss to No. 20 Oklahoma State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl in Houston on Wednesday.

On the first play of the game, Henderson rolled outside the pocket to connect with Jahdae Walker for a gain of 11. Before the ball left his hand, Henderson collided with a Cowboys player and went airborne before landing awkwardly back on the turf. He would immediately be helped off the field by A&M's medical staff and would enter the locker room for X-rays.

Henderson was seen on the sidelines with his arm in an air cast and sling. True freshman Marcel Reed filled in for the remainder of Wednesday's outing and impressed, throwing for a career-high 361 yards and an interception.

Reed also scored on a 20-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to slice into OSU's lead. The former Tennessee Player of the Year nearly forged a comeback, but his final pass was intercepted to seal a 10-win season in Stillwater for Mike Gundy.

"He was making really smart decisions and good reads," tight end Max Wright said of Reed's performance. "Standing back there with a little bit of poise, even with bullets flying at him."

Henderson began the season as the Aggies' No. 3 quarterback before Conner Weigman and Max Johnson. Weigman won the starting job out of fall camp, but after his season was cut short in Week 4, Johnson took over as Henderson moved up the chart to QB2 on the depth chart.

After Johnson suffered multiple broken ribs against Ole Miss, then-coach Jimbo Fisher turned to Henderson for the final four games, posting a 2-2 record while throwing for 715 yards and six touchdowns against two interceptions.

Weigman is set to return this spring and should be the favorite by new coach Mike Elko to retain the starting job. Henderson's play could warrant reps with the first-team, and should at least create competition in camp.

Should Weigman retain the title of QB1, Henderson likely should take over for Johnson as QB2. The former LSU and A&M starter transferred following Fisher's firing and recently committed to North Carolina, along with brother and former Aggies tight end Jake Johnson.

Reed, who isn't expected to leave entering the new calendar year, will likely take over Henderson's role as QB No. 3, while four-star freshman Miles O'Neill takes the QB No. 4 role.

A&M ends its 2023 season at 7-6. Elko will now take over the program fully for the first time since being hired earlier this month.

This article first appeared on Texas A&M Aggies on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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