Washington’s star running back Dillon Johnson reaggravated an injury with under a minute to play during the College Football Playoff semifinal against Texas, but coach Kalen DeBoer expects Johnson to play in Monday’s national championship against Michigan.
“It’s something he’s been working through for a couple months now,” DeBoer said. “He’s playing through it. There’s nothing as far as above and beyond what’s happened in the past. He’d throughout the game, reaggravate it, shake it off and go back out and play. My thoughts are he’ll be ready to go. Obviously it’s a quick turnaround, only seven days. We’ll be smart with how we prepare, and that’s my assumption not having talked to him today. But knowing when we landed, as long as everything came out alright with everything, he was going to do everything he could to be on that football field next Monday.”
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Johnson’s X-rays were negative, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb told Seattle radio station KJR on Tuesday night, but quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said he hasn’t been told yet if Johnson is playing.
“We have other guys who are ready to go if he’s not able to step out there, but Dillon, I know, is going to do everything he can because he’s put his heart and soul into this season and team all year long,” DeBoer said.
Washington HC Kalen DeBoer says RB Dillon Johnson should be ready to go in the national championship game.
Re-aggravated injury at the end against Texas.
"It's something he's been working through for a couple months now."
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) January 3, 2024
Johnson rushed for two touchdowns and 49 yards on 21 attempts in the Huskies’ 37-31 win over the Longhorns.
On Washington’s last drive, Johnson was helped off the field by two trainers as he was unable to put any pressure on his left foot. He suffered a previous injury to his foot against Oregon State in November.
Johnson rushed for 1,162 yards and 16 touchdowns this season to help lead the Huskies to an undefeated 14-0 record. Washington is looking for its first national championship since 1991.
How Johnson could impact the CFP championship
While Penix Jr. and Washington’s receivers deservedly get so much attention, Johnson’s emergence at running back has been vital for this offense. In this national championship game, the Huskies need to force Michigan to use more bodies to defend the run in order to open up more space in the passing game. Johnson has 222 carries this year. No other Washington player has more than 45. This has not been a running back-by-committee backfield. — Chris Vannini, senior college football writer
How important is Johnson to the Huskies’ offense?
While Washington is 102nd nationally in rushing yards per game (123.57) and 127th in rushing attempts per game, the Huskies are 55th in yards per rush (4.42). Johnson’s 16 rushing touchdowns are tied for 16th-most nationally. While Washington doesn’t run the ball a ton, they’ve typically done it effectively, thanks to Johnson.
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“He’s really established himself the second half of the season, both at running the football, which everyone sees, the big games he’s had, the physicality he brings,” DeBoer said of Johnson. “He’s very much in sync with our offensive line. He trusts them a lot and they trust him, go the extra mile to get him the extra yards he has. … He’s a solid player all around and does a good job with pass protection. He keeps the pocket clean for Mike, smart football player, understands his responsibility and will take on all the different kinds of bodies that come at him in protection.”
If Johnson can’t go, that will make Michigan’s defensive job easier. — Vannini
Required reading
- Washington’s Sugar Bowl win against Texas showed Huskies have what it takes to win it all
- What we learned about Michigan, Washington in CFP semifinals
- Michigan vs. Washington national title game line, prediction, odds: Wolverines favored in Houston
(Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)