Dillon Johnson Injury Update

Updated 8 Jan, 1.18pm PT
 

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel a source told him Johnson could be as healthy as 90% for game time.

It was reported that Johnson participated in 80 percent of Washington's offensive practice snaps on Saturday and 100 percent of the practice reps on Sunday ahead of the game tonight. 

The team at Sports Injury Central have concern for the effectiveness of Johnson, however given the importance of the game he will play but may not be able to perform at his usual explosive level we saw throughout the season.

Updated 5 Jan, 9.25am PT

Dillon Johnson, Washington's running back, is anticipated to play in the upcoming College Football Playoff National Championship against No. 1 Michigan, as per Coach Kalen DeBoer's update on Wednesday. DeBoer expressed confidence in Johnson's readiness despite a recent lower leg injury sustained during the Sugar Bowl.

"My thoughts are that he'll be ready to go," DeBoer said. “Obviously it's a quick week, quick turnaround, seven days to get ready again. We'll be smart with how we prepare ... as long as everything came out all right with everything, he was going to do everything he could to be on that football field next Monday.”

Coach DeBoer said “I think they’re all good,” regarding Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, tight end Devin Culp and offensive lineman Nate Kalepo. “Just sore and things like that. Believe all of them got back in the game at some point after their dings and nicks. Should all be good.”

Washington Huskies star RB Dillon Johnson faces uncertainty for the College Football Playoff Championship after sustaining a worrying injury to his right foot in the closing moments of the Sugar Bowl win over Texas 37-31 on Jan 1. 

During a play with Washington ahead 37-31, Johnson ran the ball up the middle to allow the Huskies to burn the clock but was slow to get up, requiring assistance off the field and was carted to the locker room. 

Coach Kalen DeBoer noted Johnson had aggravated a previous foot injury he was dealing with at the end of the regular season, expressing uncertainty about his availability for the upcoming title game against Michigan. “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" DeBoer said.

Dillon Johnson has been playing injured for some time now. He ended the season banged up and even with the layoff couldn’t get entirely healthy for the Sugar Bowl. Still, he decided to play through pain.

As the Huskies' leading rusher, Johnson's absence would be significant, boasting 1,162 yards this season, including a notable performance in the Sugar Bowl. The College Football Playoff Championship is Monday at NRG Stadium in Houston at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Adding to the Huskies' challenges, standout cornerback Jabbar Muhammad suffered an injury during Texas' final drive while defending an end zone pass.

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