SEATTLE — Sophomore receiver Curtis Shaw is leaving the University of Washington football team to tend to family issues, the school announced Monday, and it is unclear if or when he will return.
“The opportunity will be here for him to return once his family issues have been resolved,” Huskies coach Tyrone Willingham said in a statement. “For the time being, that needs to be his focus.”
A school spokesman said Curtis is leaving the team strictly for family reasons, and there are no legal issues or academic issues at play. Willingham had already met with the media before Shaw’s departure was announced.
Shaw, a native of Stockton, Calif., started the 2007 season at tailback before moving to receiver. He had five catches for 47 yards last season, making him one of just two returning receivers in fall camp with game experience. The other is D’Andre Goodwin, who caught six passes for 29 yards.
Shaw played in all 13 games last season, carrying seven times for 15 yards and returning two kickoffs for 56.
Goodwin now represents all of Washington’s returning experience at receiver.
Locker still day-to-day: Willingham said he is not overly worried about the long-term health of quarterback Jake Locker, who did not practice Monday.
“Well, any injury is always some concern, but a major concern? No,” Willingham said.
Locker’s injury has given a lot more snaps to Ronnie Fouch, something that should help the redshirt freshman down the road.
“His rhythm has been good, he’s been making a lot of good decisions,” offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said of Fouch. “This has been really good for him because he’s been getting probably 90 percent of the reps … This is good for him, really good for him.”
Asked about Fouch’s mobility, Lappano said the quarterback, while not as fast as Locker, can hold his own.
“We have not taken anything out of our run game because Jake’s out,” he said. “He can do everything that we have in, and he’s OK with that and does a pretty good job. He’s not Jake mobility-wise, but he can move pretty well. He’s pretty crafty with his feet.”
Lappano said that as of now, walk-on Taylor Bean is probably the No. 2 quarterback with Locker out.
Garcia still progressing well: center Juan Garcia’s attempted comeback from a Lisfranc sprain continues to go well, Willingham said. Garcia has been participating in some full-contact drills, though he is still getting extra rest as a precaution.
“Right now our anticipation with Juan is pretty good that he’ll be where we need him to be, but I think you’ve always got to have that plan B in effect, and especially when it involves someone that hasn’t done that,” said Willingham, with plan B being Ryan Tolar working at center as well as guard. “Tolar hasn’t been a center, so you want to make sure that you give him plenty of repetition at that, even as we work all the way through.”
Garcia participated in Washington’s morning practice, but sat out the afternoon practice.
Other health updates: Cornerback Byron Davenport (ankle) and tailback Brandon Johnson (knee) continue to be limited at practice, and Willingham said both are “day-to-day.” Johnson, Washington’s lone tailback with game experience, had offseason knee surgery and is still recovering. Davenport caught his foot in the turf during Friday’s practice and sprained his right ankle while sliding to make a catch.
Linebacker Josh Gage sat out both of Monday’s practices while recovering from an illness.
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