SEATTLE – With each day University of Washingtron running back Kenny James misses because of a shoulder bruise suffered on the first day of fall camp, the chances of him retaining his starting position become more remote.
James, a junior who led the Huskies in rushing last season, has seen limited action because of the injury and head coach Tyrone Willingham said it makes it hard for James to show what he can do when he’s on the sideline.
“It’s difficult to gain a position when you’re not practicing,” Willingham said. “It’s very difficult. Especially if other people at that position are doing well. Now, it’s much easier if there’s no question that guy is clearly your guy. But I think our running back position, there’s some competition, and we have some guys who can hopefully play well for us.”
Louis Rankin, Shelton Sampson and fullback James Sims Jr. figure to be the players taking advantage of James’ absence. Former Jackson High School star Johnie Kirton also is in the competition but has been seeing time at tight end.
Willingham said there were “a couple” players who he assumed would be starters when he took over the program.
“There’s always a couple that you feel like this guy, if he performs the way he should, should be your starter,” Willingham said. “But at the same time I’ve always said this: An All-American should play like an All-American. And if he’s not, then obviously he’s not playing well enough to hold his job. If he plays like a backup, then that’s what he should be.”
Reaction to Herrion’s death: Willingham said he’s never faced a situation similar to the one that happened to the San Francisco 49ers late Saturday and early Sunday.
San Francisco offensive lineman Thomas Herrion collapsed following the 49ers’ preseason game at Denver on Saturday. The 23-year-old Herrion was pronounced dead early Sunday morning. The cause has yet to be determined.
“You have players go down and it’s a very serious situation,” Willingham said. “You don’t know which one has complications that could end a young man’s life. So you take that very seriously.”
Heat illness has been the cause of several deaths of professional and collegiate football players in recent years, including Minnesota Vikings All-Pro lineman Korey Stringer in 2001. The deaths brought a greater emphasis on giving players proper rest and hydration, though there is no indication that Herrion’s death was heat-related. The temperatures in Denver Saturday were in the mid-60s.
Willingham has held some players out, or limited their participation, during fall camp.
“They always need reminders,” Willingham said. “You hate to use examples like (Herrion) though. You always need reminders because most young people at that age, I think the term is, believe they are bullet-proof. Unfortunately, life is very precious and it’s not promised to any of us. So at any moment, if you’re not doing all the right things, it could be taken away. So you have to be careful.”
Schedule update: Willingham gave the team the day off Sunday, saying it was just a good time to do so. Washington holds its last two-a-day practice Wednesday.
Injury update: Junior cornerback Clarence Simpson was held out of Saturday’s practice with an infection that Willingham said wasn’t serious. Freshman offensive lineman Morgan Rosborough also missed the practice for an undisclosed reason and senior guard Tusi Sa’au also was held out. Speculation was Sa’au’s back, which has bothered him in the past, was the reason for his absence.
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