Washington’s Kade Eldridge out for season, 2 others expected back
Washington tight end Kade Eldridge runs against Michigan defensive end Dominic Nichols during a college football game, Oct. 18, 2025 in Ann Arbor. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter
At least one of the Washington players who exited their 24-7 loss against Michigan on Saturday will be done for the year.
Kade Eldridge, the sophomore tight end who suffered a foot injury during the first half of Saturday’s game, has been ruled out for the season, UW coach Jedd Fisch announced Monday. Eldridge, a Lynden native who transferred to Washington from USC during the offseason, was also the team’s primary fullback.
However, the rest of Washington’s injury news was more positive.
“That was the only season-ender that we had,” Fisch said.
Fifth-year offensive lineman Maximus McCree and seventh-year tight end Quentin Moore will both have a chance to return this season, Fisch said. Additionally, the UW coach said he remains hopeful starting left tackle Carver Willis and starting left guard John Mills will be available Saturday against No. 23 Illinois.
It’s particularly welcome news about Moore. The veteran tight end spent several minutes lying on the field being examined by trainers after going down while making a block on UW’s punt shield. He was eventually strapped to a backboard and carted off the field before being taken to a hospital for precautionary tests.
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Moore didn’t travel back to Seattle with the team after the game Saturday, UW spokesperson Jeff Bechthold told The Seattle Times on Sunday, but Moore returned by Sunday evening. Fisch said he did not have a timeline for a potential return to the field for Moore, who he said was dealing with “a concussion or something to that effect,” but added he was simply relieved that Moore was going to be healthy.
“I’m very pleased, and we’re very fortunate that his injury wasn’t nearly what we initially thought it could have been,” Fisch said.
Potentially adding Moore back to the tight end group will be important for Washington, especially following Eldridge’s injury. Fisch said Moore will likely be out against No. 23 Illinois, meaning UW will have only sophomore Decker DeGraaf and a pair of true freshmen — Baron Naone and Austin Simmons — available at tight end.
UW’s tight end group was already down several players. Former Tumwater High standout Ryan Otton medically retired before the season started, and redshirt freshman Charlie Crowell, who missed the entire 2024 season after suffering an injury after fall camp, was also ruled out for 2025 before the campaign started. Fisch announced Monday that Crowell had sustained a setback during the offseason while recovering from his 2024 injury that required him to miss the current season.
McCree similarly, won’t be out for the season after missing the entire second half against Michigan with a foot injury. Fisch previously said the fifth-year offensive lineman was “likely” ruled out for the year immediately after the game, but clarified he will be able to return at some point in 2025. However, Fisch added he will still miss some significant time.
Willis hasn’t played since sustaining a knee injury against No. 1 Ohio State on Sept. 27. Mills hasn’t appeared since leaving the game against Maryland with an apparent lower leg injury Oct. 4. McCree was filling in for Willis when he was injured against Michigan. Sophomore Soane Faasolo, who started four games at left tackle in 2024, replaced McCree. Redshirt freshman Paki Finau has started both games at left guard since Mills’ injury.
Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football
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That's a great photo
