SEATTLE – It’s not exactly the way James Sims would have liked to get into the lineup, but he’ll take it.
Sims could see his first collegiate start at tailback when Washington plays at Arizona State on Saturday. Sims wouldn’t necessarily be starting because of anything he’s done well, he’s just the next guy in line.
“You never want to see guys get hurt,” Sims said. “But I’ve been preparing myself to be ready all season for whenever I get the chance. If that’s this week, I’ll be ready. If not, I’ll still be ready when they need me.”
Sims moved to the top of the depth chart at tailback through a series of events. In Saturday’s loss to USC, starter Louis Rankin (turf toe) and backup Kenny James (shoulder) both went down with injuries. Shelton Sampson had previously quit the team, and coaches had decided to redshirt freshman J.R. Hasty.
That left Sims to take over, and against USC he ran 10 times for 24 yards.
“He stepped in Saturday and gave us some good, solid play,” Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said.
Willingham had no update on the status of Rankin or James, but said he would likely need them to practice this week in order to play Saturday. Sims enters this week listed at No. 1 on the depth chart. Senior Chris Singleton is No. 2 and James is No. 3. Willingham said Johnie Kirton will not be moved back to tailback from tight end.
“Any running back would want to get as many carries as he can,” said Sims, a senior from Las Vegas. “I’m excited about that. I’m excited to see what I might be able to do getting 20 carries.”
Sims has previously started games at safety and fullback at Washington. Last year, he was second on the team with 212 rushing yards. But fumbles have been an issue for the 205-pounder. Last season he fumbled twice against Oregon State in the red zone and this year lost one in the loss to UCLA.
Sims wowed coaches in the preseason with impressive numbers during testing sessions and he was expected to play a large role in Washington’s offense. Instead, Ty Eriks and Mark Palaita have emerged as the top fullbacks and Rankin and James have received most of the carries at tailback. Sims has 52 yards on 26 carries this season. But he could start having a bigger impact this weekend, and it could come in front of his family. Sims lived in Phoenix before moving to Las Vegas when he was 12.
“If I get the chance to run the ball, great,” Sims said. “If not, then I’ll deal with that. I just want to help the team turn things around.”
A Sonny return: With Marlon Wood out for the season with a broken ankle, Willingham said Sonny Shackelford “might” be the favorite to take over as the punt returner. Shackelford has worked at punt return all season but only has one return for six yards.
Temperature control: Willingham’s weekly weather report called for sun and temperatures about 84 degrees in Tempe, Ariz., on Saturday. To prepare for that, Willingham said the team would practice in Dempsey Indoor to try to simulate the heat. The team also practiced indoors during the bye week.
TV update: Fox Sports Northwest will show the Arizona State game on delay at 7 p.m. Saturday night. The game will also be replayed at 3 p.m. Sunday.
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