Injured Cougar Tight End Probable For Illinois

Washington State junior tight end Love Jefferson has a pulled groin muscle and is considered probable for Saturday’s non-conference football game at Illinois, the Cougars said.

The injury occurred Wednesday during practice. Jefferson, who caught his first career touchdown pass in the Cougars’ 28-21 road victory over USC last week, was held out of practice Thursday.

“If he’s limited, then we’re limited,” WSU coach Mike Price said Thursday. “I think he’ll be OK.”

If Jefferson is unable to play, junior Brendan Marshall would make his first start.

Senior tight end Jon Kincaid, who missed most of last season with an ankle injury, practiced for the first time this week and will make the trip to Champaign. If he plays against the Illini, it will be in a limited role, Price said.

Kincaid’s injury, coupled with the off-season departures of former starter David Knuff (graduation) and Ivan Mercer (disciplinary reasons), has left the 19th-ranked Cougars with little depth at the position.

Sophomore Corey Scott, who was moved from linebacker to tight end during fall practices, is still learning his new position and will most likely be limited to special teams this week, Price said.

Jefferson’s development has been critical. Once known only for his blocking, the 6-foot-2, 250-pounder has become a sure-handed receiver.

In season-opening victories over UCLA and USC, Jefferson has four catches for 51 yards. His 23-yard catch-and-run against UCLA provided the Cougars with a critical third-down conversion, leading to the go-ahead touchdown.

WSU notes

Split end Nian Taylor is back in the starting lineup after being limited against USC by a sprained ankle. Chris Jackson, who started ahead of Taylor last week, suffered a kidney contusion against the Trojans and remains questionable… . Price said he has received between 250 and 300 congratulatory letters and cards since Saturday’s victory, which was WSU’s first at USC since 1957. That’s in addition to roughly 50 phone messages, mostly from ex-players and fellow coaches. Former WSU defensive lineman Chad Eaton was particularly appreciative - he reportedly won a bet with former USC defensive lineman Willie McGinest. Both play for the New England Patriots… . The Dallas Morning News plans to add WSU junior quarterback Ryan Leaf to its weekly Heisman Trophy Watch. Leaf leads the nation in total offense.

, DataTimes