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Washington State quarterback Luke Falk cleared to play in Reese’s Senior Bowl, will wear brace on left wrist

Washington State quarterback Luke Falk watches from the sideline during the first half of the team’s Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Michigan State on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, in San Diego. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

PULLMAN – A surgically repaired left wrist apparently won’t prevent Washington State quarterback Luke Falk from playing in the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Jan. 27 in Mobile, Alabama.

According to Senior Bowl media relations, Falk received medical clearance to play in the game on Friday and intends to “fully participate” in the high-profile all-star event at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Falk will take precautions and wear the same soft brace on his left, nonthrowing wrist he’s worn most of the season.

It wasn’t clear if Falk, who missed the Holiday Bowl against Michigan State because of his injury, would heal in time to partake in the Jan. 27 game, or any of the pre-Senior Bowl practices that give college seniors an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts and draft analysts.

Falk went through warmups before the Holiday Bowl but didn’t dress for the game, giving the start to backup Tyler Hilinski. Per policy, WSU coach Mike Leach didn’t comment on the injury in the week before the bowl game.

Senior Bowl teams, which are split into North and South, hold three practices that equate to 5 1/2 hours in the days leading up to the game. Falk, the Pac-12 career passing leader, is one of eight quarterbacks who’ve accepted invitations to the game, including Oklahoma’s Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield. Falk has developed a close relationship with Mayfield over the years at the Burlsworth Trophy ceremony in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Highly regarded Wyoming signal-caller Josh Allen is also headed to Mobile for the Senior Bowl, along with Western Kentucky’s Mike White, Troy’s Brandon Silvers, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph, Virginia’s Kurt Benkert and Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta.

Cougars right tackle Cole Madison accepted an invitation to the game and will be one of 11 offensive tackles at the event.

Seven WSU players are participating in senior all-star games over the course of January. Eight accepted invitations, but running back Jamal Morrow won’t play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl because of broken bones in his left foot, according to The Seattle Times.