SEATTLE _ Not that long ago, the sight of senior quarterback Jake Locker sitting out a practice would have been reason enough for the University of Washington football team to go into panic mode.
But lately, it’s been old hat.
Locker sat out another practice Wednesday afternoon, this time not taking a single snap while backup Keith Price ran the first team. Head coach Steve Sarkisian said that Locker is still sore from Saturday’s win over Oregon State, although he wouldn’t pinpoint an exact body part.
“There’s more than just one,” Sarkisian said Wednesday night. “He’s pretty sore.”
Sarkisian was quick to add: “I think he’ll play” against Arizona on Saturday night.
UW’s coach didn’t appear too concerned about more missed practice time for Locker, who sat out most of last week with a thigh injury yet had a good game against the Beavers.
“He’s a fifth-year senior, he’s got a wealth of experience, and we’re not running all these brand new plays,” Sarkisian said. “The game plans carry over for him, so it’s a little easier for him to not be out there at practice and perform well (in the game) than maybe a younger kid.”
Sarkisian expects Locker to return to practice on Thursday and start against the Wildcats on Saturday night.
“There was something to last week, being able to hold him out and him feeling fresh on Saturday,” Sarkisian said. “It’s trying to go along those same lines. But he’s pretty sore. We’re just trying to protect him that way.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
