(This story has been updated with new information)
Washington Huskies edge rusher Zach Durfee has been dealing with a toe injury that has already kept him out of two contests this season and will keep him out of a third. The Sioux Falls transfer was unable to suit up against both the Northwestern Wildcats and the Iowa Hawkeyes but was reportedly set to make his return when the Huskies face off with the Indiana Hoosiers.
Zach Durfee injury update
After being limited against both the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Michigan Wolverines to manage his injury, the Huskies decided to hold Durfee out against Iowa, giving him two weeks to rest and rehab his injury before
“We do feel good about having Durfee back,” Fisch said on Monday. “We do feel like he’s an impact player when he’s played.”
However, a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel came out early Saturday morning stating that Durfee would be a game-time decision, and an hour later, On Montlake’s Christian Caple reported that Durfee was not out there during pregame warmups, seemingly confirming that the edge rusher will miss his second straight game.
How long will Zach Durfee be out?
“Medically, we just have to get his toe right,” Fisch said before the Huskies played Michigan. If he can get to a place where he can plant and chase the ball carrier, then he’ll play.”
That appears to be a situation that the coaching staff will monitor on a week-to-week basis.
Washington Huskies edge rusher depth chart
Durfee was expected to return to his starting role alongside Isaiah Ward against the Big Ten’s best passing offense in coach Curt Cignetti’s Indiana, but it appears Voi Tunuufi will start in his place. The Huskies already implore a deep rotation of edge rushers and expect to see more of Lance Holtzclaw, Jacob Lane, Jayden Wayne, and Deshawn Lynch in his absence.