Injury Report: Washington Football’s next man up mantra tested

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Husky Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Husky Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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The mantra of the Washington Football team is next man up. Can reserve players pass their test as the Washington Huskies face the Colorado Buffalo without key players

While every team in NCAA football eventually faces the injury bug, the Washington football team has had a streak of bad luck incurring injuries to key players during or before big games.  Unfortunately, that streak continues as several injuries were reported by Seattle Times Adam Jude today.

And so, the Huskies must count on the next man up to perform on game day. So far, players like tight end Will Dissly prove that they can produce when the spotlight is on them. Dissly took over for an injured Drew Sample earlier in the season, and ended up with a pair of touchdown receptions.

Injury Report

Per Jude’s report, the Huskies injury report looks like this:

           Player                     Position               Injury                     Estimated To Return

  • Bryon Murphy       Cornerback         Broken Foot          6-8 weeks
  • Lavon Coleman     Running back     Concussion           next week
  • Andre Baccellia     Wide Receiver    Concussion           next week
  • Chico McClatcher Wide Receiver    Undisclosed          Gametime decision
  • D.J. Beavers           Linebacker           Achilles Tendon   TBD
  • Drew Sample        Tight End             Injured Leg             TBD

This is a tough week to absorb injuries, particularly to a young player who has already made a positive impact for the team. It’s also a tough situation for a young man to take the field as a starter in a game with a tough opponent.

Winning ain’t easy

But that is how the road to victory is paved. On one hand, new players must reach in within themselves and find the strength to perform against adversarial conditions. On the other hand, they are not alone. Veterans must up their game to compensate.

After all, this is a team.  So who will step up at cornerback?

Per the depth chart, that now falls upon junior Jomon Dotson. You may recall that Dotson is responsible for a huge interception return of 68 yards and a touchdown. Now, he hopes to add to that with a solid showing against the Colorado Buffalo.

Next: Washington Football victory keys on Greg Gaines and Vita Vea

This will be a tough game, made even tougher by the loss of valuable players in the week leading up to the contest.  But Washington will not make excuses.  The best way to avoid the matter is to win.

Washington expects to do just that.