Kalen DeBoer gives injury update on Dillon Johnson

Late in the drama that was the Sugar Bowl, Washington running back Dillon Johnson went down with an injury. As the game ended, the ESPN broadcast showed Johnson being carted back to the locker room. While his face showed jubilation as the Huskies took down Texas, it’s not a great sign with the national championship game just a week away.

Kalen DeBoer was asked about Johnson during his postgame interview with ESPN’s Molly McGrath, saying there is not too much information at the moment. However, he did say Johnson looked “hurt pretty good” after he a carry during Washington’s final offensive play of the game.

“I don’t even know the severity,” DeBoer said. “Obviously, it looked like he was in a lot of pain. We were kind of focused on the situation and the unfortunate piece with that with a guy going down and the clock situation. He’s a huge part of this team. Looks like he’s hurt pretty good but we got to pick it up for him if that’s what it is.”

As DeBoer mentioned, there was more to the Johnson injury than just him potentially not being available against Michigan. Since he had to be tended to by trainers, the clock stopped with 45 seconds remaining and did not start again until the snap on fourth down.

Had there been no injury, Washington could have burned the clock and given Texas virtually no chance of moving down the field. Instead, Quinn Ewers led a drive down to the 12-yard line with 10 seconds remaining.

Washington was able to get a stop on four consecutive plays, including the game-winning PBU from Elijah Jackson on fourth down with a second remaining. Just the latest example of Washington pulling through in a tough situation.

“You just got to move on when tough breaks come your way,” DeBoer said. “We talk about it all the time and not letting negative thoughts get in your head. So, I’m just really proud of the way the guys were out there battling, focusing on the next play, and being in the moment, and not having any regrets.”

Washington will have a few more plays to focus on, moving onto the national championship game against Michigan. In what will, oddly enough, be a Big Ten conference matchup in just a few month’s time, we should have a great matchup from Houston for all the marbles.