The hearts of Washington Huskies fans dropped in the final minutes of their semifinal victory. In the final minutes the star running back, Dillon Johnson appeared to have suffered an injury and was carted off the field.

On the final offensive play by UW, the running back appeared to have aggravated a foot injury. Many had questioned if Johnson would be available next Monday when the Huskies take on Michigan. On Tuesday, UW’s Offensive Coordinator had released some positive news

“We do expect him to play,” OC Ryan Grubb stated in an interview on KJR. “X-rays that were taken at the Superdome were negative.”

A 6-foot, 218-pound junior has been a vital piece of Washington’s offense this season. Producing a total of 1,162 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 14 games this fall. He’s been battling that same foot injury for most of the season but has not missed a single game. He originally injured it in a game against Oregon State on Nov. 18.

“It’s related, I think, to what he’s been going through the last couple months,” UW coach Kalen DeBoer said in his postgame press conference. “Obviously he was down and in some pain, but he’s been in pain he last couple months. So he’s just working through it.

“He’s a tough, tough guy. He’s been so strong and keeps pushing forward. It goes back to two or three weeks left in the season, when really this injury happened.”

The Huskies don’t have much of an experienced run game outside of Dillon Johnson. Had he been ruled out for the National Championship, they would have to rely on true freshman Tybo Roger. There’s also a chance that Washington doesn’t use much of a run game against Michigan, whose defense ranks fourth in the country in rushing touchdowns allowed (7) and sixth in both rushing defense (87.08 yards allowed per game) and opponent yards per carry (2.93).

If that’s the case, Johnson’s backfield mate Michael Penix Jr. will get the opportunity to show out one final time at the collegiate level.

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