UW Huskies injury updates: Jonah Coleman, Denzel Boston could return vs. Purdue

DerekJohnson · 7:51AM

Washington running back Jonah Coleman is injured during the first half against Wisconsin on Nov. 8, 2025, in Madison, Wis. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

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By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter

Jedd Fisch and his coaching staff may be facing some personnel decisions this weekend.

Some of their solutions will be straightforward. Others may require the Huskies to get creative. Because Washington’s availability looks remarkably different after its 13-10 loss against Wisconsin.

“We had to get into our two-deep — three-deep — which is not what we’re normally accustomed to,” Fisch said Monday. “It was just one of those games that injuries started piling up and some guys were asked to do some things they haven’t been doing.”

Fisch announced several key contributors are considered questionable for Washington’s game against Purdue Saturday after picking up injuries against Wisconsin: Senior running back Jonah Coleman (knee), junior wide receiver Denzel Boston (ankle), junior right tackle Drew Azzopardi (lower leg), redshirt freshman Rahshawn Clark (knee) and sixth-year safety Makell Esteen (undisclosed).

The UW coach seemed the most optimistic about potential returns for Coleman and Boston, who were both injured late during the first half against Wisconsin.

Coleman exited the game after picking up an injury at the end of an 11-yard screen pass he caught with 4:39 remaining in the second quarter. Fisch said he initially believed the Stockton, Calif., native was going to return after for the second half after putting a brace on his knee, but they eventually decided he wasn’t going to be able to protect himself and decided to hold him out.

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“We’re expecting, this week, to put him through a lot of treatment and be able to play him,” Fisch said. “But we will certainly make it a day-by-day-type deal.”

If UW’s leading rusher isn’t able to play against Purdue, UW will almost certainly turn to sophomore running back Adam Mohammed. The 6-foot, 220-pound tailback had 54 yards rushing on 12 carries against Wisconsin and was arguably Washington’s most productive offensive player after replacing Coleman during the second half. This season, Mohammed has 52 carries for a career-high 245 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Boston was injured while returning a punt four plays before Coleman’s exit. He suffered an ankle sprain and was carted down the tunnel shortly before halftime. He returned for the second half, but Fisch said his snaps were limited. He finished the game as UW’s leading receiver with eight catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, but that included just two catches for 16 yards after the break.

Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston warms up before a game against Wisconsin on Nov. 8, 2025, in Madison, Wis. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

The Huskies (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) have some options if Boston can’t play against the Boilermakers. Senior wide receiver Omari Evans, the Penn State transfer, seems like the most obvious candidate for increased repetitions. He played 17 snaps against the Badgers according to Pro Football Focus, and has five catches for 128 yards and a touchdown this season.

But offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty said other wide receivers are also in the mix if Boston isn’t available. He named sophomore Audric Harris, Boston’s primary backup at the X-receiver position in 2024, and junior Kevin Green Jr. as potential candidates for increased playing time. Freshman wide receiver Raiden Vines-Bright also notably replaced Boston while he was limited during fall camp.

Freshman wide receiver Chris Lawson, however, might be the most intriguing alternative. The Bay Area native was arguably the most impressive freshman receiver during the spring, but was limited by injuries during fall camp. Lawson, a 6-1, 185-pound wideout, has six catches for 53 yards in five games. Dougherty said the Huskies have no problem deploying three true freshmen wide receivers — Dezmen Roebuck, Vines-Bright and Lawson — to start the game.

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“If the three freshmen practice well this week and they’re the best guys,” Dougherty said, “then that’s what we’ll roll with.”

Fisch also seemed confident Esteen will be available this week after he left the Wisconsin game during the second half. He said the Husky captain is considered day-to-day. True freshman safety Rylon Dillard-Allen is the most obvious player to replace Esteen if he’s unavailable.

The Husky coach was less clear about a potential return for Clark. The former Garfield High standout, who had two tackles including one for a loss against the Badgers, hyperextended his knee while returning a punt during Boston’s brief exit at the end of the first half.

Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said the Huskies will evaluate all their options if either Clark or Esteen are unavailable against the Boilermakers (2-8, 0-7), Walters’ former team. He mentioned sophomore safety Vincent Holmes as a potential answer at either position. The 6-0, 190-pound defensive back played a season-high 14 snaps against Wisconsin. Regardless of who plays, however, Walters said he’s not worried about the depth of his secondary.

“They don’t flinch if someone’s out of the lineup,” Walters said. “It’s next-man-up mentality. A lot of people talk about it, but they actually live it. It’s been proven this season with the amount of injuries and the fluidity we’ve sort of had with who’s available.”

Azzopardi, Fisch said, is facing the greatest challenge to return this Saturday. He exited the Wisconsin game with a lower-leg injury late in the first half and did not return. Washington initially turned to sophomore tackle Soane Faasolo, but after a series of procedural penalties, Fisch inserted redshirt freshman Paki Finau, who’s exclusively played guard during his two seasons with the Huskies.

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Finau, Fisch and sixth-year left tackle Carver Willis said, played admirably given the situation. But Fisch and Dougherty said they will consider a series of options now that they have an entire week to prepare someone to play right tackle if Azzopardi can’t participate. The Husky offensive coordinator said Finau, Faasolo and true freshman guard Champ Taulealea, a former blue-chip prospect, are under consideration, along with potentially moving starting left guard John Mills to right tackle.

Sending Mills to tackle is an interesting option. The 6-6, 325-pound true freshman played the position in high school, and may be Washington’s long-term plan at left tackle following Willis’ departure. Mills avoided answering a question about playing tackle in the future Nov. 4, but moving him outside against Purdue can get him valuable experience while allowing Finau to play guard.

“Everything’s on the table right now,” Dougherty said.

Of course, Fisch did have some positive injury updates Monday. Redshirt freshman Jordan Washington (illness), who missed the Wisconsin game, is expected to recover and be available against Purdue. Meaning if Coleman can’t go, UW won’t have to solely lean on Mohammed.

And Fisch added junior center Landen Hatchett (hand), who was removed after one half against the Badgers while trying to play with a bulky ball cast, will get a new cast and try to play again versus the Boilermakers.

If he’s unable to be effective during practice, Fisch said the Huskies will return to sophomore Zachary Henning, who was the only Washington offensive lineman who didn’t surrender a pressure against Wisconsin according to PFF. Henning has played a variety of roles for the Huskies this season, filling in at guard, center and even as the team’s jumbo tight end during Quentin Moore’s injury absence.

“I thought he did a great job,” Fisch said. “We expected him to do a really good job.”

Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.