Washington RB Johnson (leg) expected to play

• Heather Dinich, ESPN

  • Senior Citizen WriterJan 3, 2024, 05:20 PM ET Close College football reporter Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of Indiana University

Washington running back Dillon Johnson, who suffered a lower leg injury in the 4th quarter of the Sugar Bowl against Texas, is anticipated to play against No. 1 Michigan in the College Football Playoff National Championship game Monday in Houston, Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday.

“My ideas are that he’ll be all set to go,” DeBoer stated. “Undoubtedly it’s a fast week, quick turnaround, 7 days to prepare yourself again. We’ll be clever 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.”

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1 Associated Johnson represented 49 backyards and 2 hurrying touchdowns in the Huskies’ 37-31 win against Texas before he intensified an injury that DeBoer stated Johnson has been “working through for a number of months now.”

“There’s nothing above and beyond what’s taken place in the past,” DeBoer said, “just throughout the game reaggravate it, shake it off, and go back out there and play.”

Johnson has racked up 1,162 rushing lawns and 16 rushing goals while balancing 5.2 yards per carry. DeBoer said Johnson has been a physical player for the Huskies who has established himself in the 2nd half of the season and has actually excelled in his pass defense.

“He’s a huge piece to [the offense],” DeBoer said. “I don’t think I ‘d be able to sell it any other way. I think everyone would see through that, however we have other guys that are ready to go if he’s not able to march there, however I understand Dillon’s going to do whatever he can since he’s put his heart and soul into this season, this group all year long.”