Washington running back Dillon Johnson is anticipated to participate in the College Football Playoff national championship game against Michigan, despite recovering from an ankle and knee injury sustained in the previous semifinal round, as reported by ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel. Johnson engaged in 80 percent of Washington’s offensive practice snaps on Saturday, progressing to 100 percent during Sunday’s practice. Internal sources within the Huskies program estimate Johnson’s availability at around 90 percent. However, this figure is speculative, and some individuals within the program express concerns that continuous exposure to live tackling might gradually impede his ability to play effectively throughout the entire four quarters of the game.
During Washington’s triumph over Texas in the College Football Playoff Sugar Bowl semifinal, Johnson re-aggravated a pre-existing lower body ailment. After being tackled on a third down, he displayed signs of significant pain on the field and could only bear moderate weight on his right foot with assistance from team trainers as he made his way to the sideline. Following an initial examination in the Washington medical tent, Johnson was subsequently carted off the field. Before the injury, he managed 21 carries for 49 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Despite the Huskies’ offensive focus on the passing game led by quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., who directs the nation’s top-ranked air attack, Dillon Johnson has played a pivotal role as a playmaker. Even though the team ranks 102nd in rushing, Johnson has been instrumental, accumulating 1,162 rushing yards and contributing 16 touchdowns. This represents approximately a quarter of Washington’s total scoring output for the season.
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