Starting cornerback Sean Harper Jr. out for Washington State-Oregon with undisclosed injury

PULLMAN – Starting Washington State cornerback Sean Harper Jr. didn’t suit up for Saturday’s Pac-12 North duel against No. 12 Oregon and will miss his first game of the season because of an undisclosed injury.

Harper Jr., a senior from Georgia, has started in all six games this season for the 25th-ranked Cougars, making 22 tackles, recording four pass breakups while forcing one fumble.

Sophomore George Hicks III is listed as Harper’s primary backup on the WSU depth chart, but junior Marcus Strong was a six-game starter in 2017 and has spent time playing behind both Harper Jr. and the other Cougar starter, Darrien Molton, this season.

Harper’s play has been one reason WSU has led the Pac-12 Conference in passing defense this season. The Cougars came into Saturday’s game against the Ducks allowing just 165.5 passing yards per game.