Running back Dillon Johnson left the field late in the fourth quarter Monday with an apparent injury that almost had the team losing the game in the end, but it also left many questioning if he’d be available to play next Monday when the Huskies take on Michigan in the national championship game.
After the game, Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer provided an additional injury update on Johnson.
“I think, and again, I haven’t even talked to the training staff,” Kalen DeBoer said. “I caught Dillon just a second and it’s related I think to what he’s been going through the last couple months. So, you know, obviously, he was down and in some pain, but he’s been in pain the last couple months.”
Washington’s offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb gave the best update and it sounds like Dillon plans to be on the field at NRG Stadium in Houston.
According to Alyssa Charlston of FOX 13 Seattle:
“We do expect him to play,” Grubb said during an interview with Dave “Softy” Mahler on KJR. “X-rays that were taken at the Superdome were negative.”
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Johnson has produced 1,162 rushing yards, 5.2 yards per carry, and 16 touchdowns in 14 games this fall.
The 6-foot, 218-pound junior recorded 49 rushing yards, 2.3 yards per carry, and two touchdowns, and added three catches for 18 yards on Monday night before his injury on UW’s final offensive play of its 37-31 Sugar Bowl win over Texas.
This seems to be the same aggravating injury to his foot that he hurt during the win at Oregon State on Nov. 18.
Should he not be able to play or struggle, Washington’s backup running back is true freshman Tybo Rogers, who contributed five carries for 19 yards. No. 1 Michigan.
