Washington Huskies Head Coach Provides Injury Updates on Pair of Defensive Starters

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SEATTLE — The Washington Huskies football team could have a healthy defense when it begins its Big Ten slate against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at 8 p.m. PT on Saturday at Husky Stadium.

The Huskies defense was down to veteran starters in its 48-16 win against the Eastern Washington Eagles on Sept. 19.

Fourth-year defensive tackle Elinneus Davis and fourth-year cornerback Emmanuel Karnley were both out for the final game of Washington's nonconference schedule. Davis suffered a calf injury in UW's 24-10 win against the Washington State Cougars on Sept. 6 and Karnley suffered a soft tissue injury in the team's 16-14 win against the Utah State Aggies on Sept. 12.

"Elinneus is full-go, full-go of practice this week," Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch said in a weekly news conference Monday. "He could have played (against Eastern Washington). Karnley is a day-by-day. We'll see what it looks like on Tuesday and Wednesday."

Davis warmed up in full pads before Washington's game against the Eagles, whereas Karnley remained in street clothes for the whole contest.

Davis had one tackle in the Huskies win against the Cougars before he exited. Through two games, Karnley has five total tackles (three solo) and two pass breakups.

Washington's defensive line has done well despite Davis' absence. Third-year defensive tackle Kai McClendon, fourth-year Darin Conley and fourth-year DeSean Watts have rotated in the defensive tackle spot, along with first-year starter Derek Colman-Brusa, and have helped limit opposing teams to 87.5 rushing yards per game this season, which ranks as the 16th-best mark in the country.

In Karnley's stead, first-year cornerback Jeron Jones has stepped up. He did generally well filling in for Karnley against the Eagles, but committed two pass interferences that extended drives for Eastern Washington.

The potential return of Karnley could be the key to the Huskies improving to 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in Big Ten play Saturday.

The Golden Gophers will enter the game 2-1 and ninth in the 18-team Big Ten in passing yards per game (277) but 17th in yards per attempt (7.4). Comparatively, Minnesota ranks 17th in rushing yards per game (117) and 14th in rushing yards per carry (4.1).

Washington will enter the game ranked 15th in the conference in rushing yards per game (129.7) and 13th in yards per carry (4.4). UW ranks sixth in passing yards per game (305) and 11th in yards per attempt (8.2).

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