Washington's preparation for Friday night's game at Purdue has been severely hampered by a combination of injuries and a flu bug affecting the entire team. The Huskies face a challenging lineup without several starters, complicating their bid for a first Big Ten victory.
Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. remains a game-time decision after sustaining a rib injury in the second quarter against Iowa. Williams did not return to the sideline following imaging to assess the injury, but ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that he could be available as a reserve depending on how he feels during pre-game warm-ups. Head coach Jedd Fisch had indicated earlier that Williams’ participation was unlikely, with Elijah Brown set to start after a strong performance last week, completing 28 of 39 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Brown will make his first start for Washington after four starts at Stanford in previous seasons.
Washington’s backfield has been hit hard. Running back Jordan Washington is out for the season following a neck injury sustained in spring practice. Despite earlier optimism from Fisch, scans in late September confirmed he is not ready to return. Another running back, Jayden Limar, suffered an elbow injury against Washington State and will be re-evaluated on November 1. Limar, a fourth-year Oregon transfer, remains Washington’s fourth-leading rusher this season with 50 yards on 12 carries. Meanwhile, Quaid Carr, who had taken over lead back duties and managed five carries for 28 yards before injuring his hand against Washington State, is now expected to miss the rest of the year. Fisch recently suggested Carr’s season is over.
Ansu Sanoe, a first-year running back with two short-yardage touchdowns this season, is also out. His absence, along with the other running backs injured, leaves the Huskies with just three healthy scholarship backs: first-year Brian Bonner Jr., sixth-year Trey Cooley, and second-year D'Aryhian Clemons. Tight end/fullback Kade Eldridge and walk-on Ryken Moon will be involved in the running game and are reportedly ahead of Clemons on the depth chart.
The receiving corps has taken a hit as well. Wide receiver Christian Moss suffered a quad injury on the first play of the season and is out for the year. Washington has started the process of applying for a medical waiver for Moss, a sixth-year transfer from Kennesaw State. Fisch noted that without such a waiver, Moss’s career would be cut short after just one play in his final season.
Defensively, linebacker Xe'ree Alexander is sidelined with a high ankle sprain suffered against Iowa. Fisch confirmed that Alexander faces a "substantial" absence, with the injury typically requiring four to six weeks of recovery. The earliest potential return would be for the game against Indiana on November 21.
Defensive tackle Kai McClendon appeared on the injury report earlier in the week without a detailed explanation and could be among those affected by the flu bug. McClendon, a transfer from Mississippi State rehabbing a torn ACL, has taken the fourth-most snaps at defensive tackle this season. His absence places more responsibility on fifth-year DeSean Watts and third-year Omar Khan in the defensive line rotation.
Other players dealing with injuries or the flu include guard Jack Shaffer, who saw limited action in the Eastern Washington game and could have the flu, and safety CJ Christian, who tore his Achilles during spring practice and is out for the season. Fisch expressed skepticism about a medical waiver for Christian, who has only 10 career snaps after injuries in 2025.
Washington's cornerbacks Rahshawn Clark and Jeron Jones are active for the Purdue game. Clark, who was banged up against Iowa, is expected to play and will allow safeties Alex McLaughlin and Rylon Dillard-Allen to move closer to the line of scrimmage when facing Purdue’s two-tight-end sets. Wide receiver Jordan Clay, part of the 15-player offensive rotation, is also active despite possibly being among those affected by the flu.
The Huskies enter the game at Purdue scrambling to manage a depleted roster. The combination of injuries and illness has forced coach Fisch to rely heavily on backups and younger players in several positions, with the status of Williams Jr. and a few others to be finalized only minutes before kickoff.
According to Yahoo Sports.
