Virginia came into Week 11 undefeated in the ACC, but its playoff aspirations took a huge hit when quarterback Chandler Morris went down in the first half against Wake Forest in an eventual 16-9 loss for the Cavaliers.
Morris, who was guiding the Cavaliers’ offense in a tight battle for ACC supremacy, was hit and left the game in the second quarter. Morris did not return against Wake Forest.
However, after reportedly entering concussion protocol, Morris has chance to return for Virginia in Week 12.
Here are the latest on Morris' injury.
Chandler Morris injury updates
Morris left the Week 11 game in the second quarter after taking a hit to the head. He did not return against Wake Forest.
UPDATE: UVA QB Chandler Morris will not return to tonight's game against Wake.
— Mike Barber (@StillMikeBarber) November 9, 2025
'Hoos trail 10-6 at the half. Https://t.co/3NHlQGMITC
The Cavaliers were trailing when Morris went down, and without their star quarterback, they went on to fall 16-9 for their first ACC lost. Backup quarterback Daniel Kaelin took over under center.
Morris has been in concussion protocol in the days following his hit vs. Wake Forest, per On3. However, he has still been viewed as "questionable" for Week 12 against Duke, as there is "legitimate hope" he can make his return by Saturday.
According to Pete Thamel, Morris is "progressing toward returning to play" on Saturday, with optimism he'll be able to play in Week 12.
Morris will continued to be evaluated up until game time vs. Duke, per On3.
What happened to Chandler Morris?
Morris was injured after taking a late hit from a Wake Forest defender. The senior quarterback left the game against the Deamon Deacons in the second quarter.
Chandler Morris able to walk off the field to a huge ovation from the UVA fans.
Student section cheers his name and the fans react at the end to a replay showing a questionable no-call for targeting. Pic.twitter.com/miXYwztpHu
— Preston Willett (@PrestonWillett) November 9, 2025
The injury occurred when Morris scrambled for a six-yard gain and slid to the turf. He was hit late by two Wake Forest defenders as he was giving himself up, leading to a personal foul penalty on the Demon Deacons.
He was attended to on the field before walking gingerly to the sideline and then heading directly to the locker room for further evaluation. He was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Who is Virginia's backup QB?
The Virginia backup quarterback, who took over for Chandler Morris after his injury against Wake Forest, is Daniel Kaelin.
Kaelin is a sophomore transfer from Nebraska. He was listed as the second-string quarterback on the depth chart heading into the season.
He immediately made a major impact upon entering the game, notably breaking off a long run (54 yards) on one of his first snaps, which led to a field goal for the Cavaliers. He was tasked with leading the undefeated Cavaliers for the remainder of the game, and if Morris can't go in Week 12, he'll lead them again.
Chandler Morris stats
Morris is in the middle of a career season, where Virginia football is ranked for the first time since 2021 and undefeated in the ACC.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Comp | Att | Yds | TDs | INTs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs |
| Aug 30 | vs Coastal Carolina | W 48-7 | 19 | 27 | 264 | 2 | 0 | 50 | 0 |
| Sep 6 | @ NC State | L 31-35 | 30 | 43 | 257 | 1 | 1 | 56 | 0 |
| Sep 13 | vs William & Mary | W 55-16 | 13 | 19 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Sep 20 | vs Stanford | W 48-20 | 23 | 31 | 380 | 4 | 0 | 19 | 1 |
| Sep 26 | vs #8 Florida St | W 46-38 (2OT) | 26 | 35 | 229 | 2 | 3 | 37 | 3 |
| Oct 4 | @ Louisville | W 30-27 | 19 | 31 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Oct 18 | vs Washington St | W 22-20 | 15 | 25 | 179 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Oct 25 | @ North Carolina | W 17-16 | 20 | 35 | 200 | 1 | 1 | -21 | 0 |
| Nov 1 | @ Cal | W 31-21 | 24 | 36 | 262 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 |
| Nov 1 | vs. Wake Forest | TBD | 3 | 6 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| TOTALS | (10 games) | 192 | 288 | 2,088 | 12 | 5 | 214 | 4 |