Washington RB Dillon Johnson Expected to Play vs. Michigan After Injury in Texas Win

Doric SamJanuary 3, 2024

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Washington running back Dillon Johnson gave fans a scare when he left Monday’s game against Texas late in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury, but it sounds like he’ll be just fine.

Per Mike Vorel of the Seattle Times, Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb offered a positive outlook for Johnson’s chances to suit up for the national championship game against Michigan, saying during a radio appearance, “We do expect him to play.”

Grubb went on to add, “X-rays that were taken at the Superdome were negative.”

Johnson ran for 49 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries and added three catches for 18 yards in the Huskies’ 37-31 win over the Longhorns. He was helped off the field by two trainers without putting pressure on his left foot with less than a minute left in the game. He had suffered a previous injury to his foot on Nov. 18 against Oregon State.

“It’s related, I think, to what he’s been going through the last couple months,” UW coach Kalen DeBoer said in the postgame press conference. “Obviously he was down and in some pain, but he’s been in pain he last couple months. So he’s just working through it. He’s a tough, tough guy. He’s been so strong and keeps pushing forward. It goes back to two or three weeks left in the season, when really this injury happened.”

Johnson has totaled 1,162 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns this season to help lead Washington to an undefeated 14-0 record. The Huskies are seeking their first national championship since 1991.

If Johnson is less than 100 percent, it will be a tough matchup against a Michigan defense that ranks sixth in the nation by holding opponents to 87.1 rushing yards per game.