Huskies lose Stanback
SEATTLE – University of Washington senior quarterback Isaiah Stanback has been diagnosed with a tarsometatarsal articulation of his right foot and will miss the rest of the season.
The injury is commonly known as a Lisfranc fracture, which is in essence a complex midfoot sprain. There is no fracture, according to a UW press release. Stanback will undergo surgery this afternoon where screws will be inserted and a small plate will be used to stabilize the foot. Normal recovery time for this injury is 8 to 12 months and Stanback will wear a cast for 6-8 weeks after surgery.
“It goes without saying that it is unfortunate that this injury happened,” Stanback said in a press release. “My focus is on doing whatever it takes to get healthy and come back 100 percent. I want to make sure that I continue to be a leader for this team and help the other quarterbacks as much as I can.
“There is still a great chance for this team to go to a bowl game and I plan to do whatever I can to help the team achieve that goal.”
Stanback hurt his foot during a fourth-quarter 24-yard run in Saturday’s 27-17 loss to Oregon State at Husky Stadium. The injury happened near the end of the run, not when he was tackled. He underwent a series of tests on Monday and was found to have a Lisfranc fracture.
Junior Carl Bonnell will take over as the Huskies starting quarterback beginning Saturday at California. Junior Johnny DuRocher is listed as the backup but Willingham would not say that redshirting freshman Jake Locker is out of the picture.
Stanback, a fifth-year senior from Garfield High School, was in his second season as the Huskies starter and had developed into one of the more dangerous players in the Pacific-10 in leading Washington to a 4-3 record. He ranks second in the league in total offense, passing for 1,325 yards and running for 350, accounting for 14 touchdowns.
Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said the surgery was necessary to ensure that the injury would heal correctly.
When asked if Stanback might be able to return for a December bowl game, Willingham said, “We’re talking longer than that.”
Washington needs two wins in its final five games to become bowl eligible.
Willingham said the long-term prognosis for Stanback is good as far as his ability to recover his speed and ability to play again. Stanback was also one of the top sprinters during the Pac-10 track season and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in June’s amateur baseball draft.
“Of course this is a setback and (my future as a pro athlete) is on my mind,” said Stanback, who has graduated with a degree in American Ethnic Studies.
Willingham said the offense would not have to change that much because, like Stanback, Bonnell is athletic enough to run and pass, though not to the same degree as Stanback.