Hurting Huskies have appreciated rest
SEATTLE – Three weeks have passed since the last time the University of Washington football team played a game, and the time away from contact has been a good thing for quarterback Keith Price.
For the most part.
“It was pretty boring,” said Price, who spent the first week of postseason practices mostly watching while younger teammates ran the show. “I kind of like being in there. But it was good, just to get my body right.”
Having had some time to heal, Price and several UW teammates are back in action now that the Huskies have begun preparations for the Dec. 29 Alamo Bowl. The time off has helped heal some wounds, even if the team and its quarterback are still a few sore tendons away from full strength.
Price himself said after Thursday’s practice that he still has a ways to go to be at 100 percent.
“I think he is moving much better,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “But I’d agree with his assessment. He’s not 100 percent. He’s moving better, which is important. And we’ve still got quite a bit of time until we play.”
Health has also been a concern in the UW secondary, where safeties Justin Glenn, Will Shamburger and Taz Stevenson were all banged up heading into the Nov. 26 Apple Cup. Depth at the position was a concern, but now the Huskies are starting to get some of those bodies back.
“Rest definitely helps a lot,” cornerback Desmond Trufant said.
“Guys are in the treatment room, so a lot of guys are going to be back. And we’re going to be ready.”
What the Huskies know for certain is that two starters will not be available for the bowl game against 15th-ranked Baylor. Defensive end Hau’oli Jamora and left guard Colin Tanigawa are out for the season after undergoing knee surgery, and UW has had time to get replacements up to speed.
The time off has been more beneficial to players like Price, wide receiver James Johnson, middle linebacker Cort Dennison and defensive tackle Alameda Ta’amu, all of whom have been playing through injuries in recent weeks.
But as the Huskies returned to practice this week in full game preparation mode, all eyes seemed to be on the left knee of Price.
The sophomore quarterback said the time off helped his sore knee – to a degree.
“I’m not 100 percent, but I got a lot better,” he said.