Washington star tailback Dillon Johnson remains banged up as the showdown with Michigan approaches, but insists he will play in Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game in Houston.
“I’ll be ready to rock and roll and give whatever my team needs,” Johnson said Saturday. “I’ll be ready to do it.”
Johnson injured his left knee and aggravated a right foot injury during the final minute of the 37-31 semifinal victory over Texas on Jan. 1.
Johnson initially hurt the foot in a 22-20 victory against Oregon State on Nov. 18.
In a normal week, Johnson might be standing in street clothes on the sideline. But that’s not a consideration with the national title on the line.
“I’m staying on top of my treatment and stuff like that, trying to stay fresh as possible,” Johnson said.
Johnson has rushed for 1,162 yards and 16 touchdowns this season to help highlight a dangerous Huskies’ offense that includes quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and receiver Rome Odunze.
Johnson announced his stardom with a career-best 246-yard, four-touchdown performance in a 52-42 road win over Southern California on Nov. 4. It was one of his four 100-yard outings on the season.
Against Texas, he scored two touchdowns but had just 49 rushing yards on 21 carries with a long of 7.
Washington coach Kalen DeBoer is unsure what Johnson’s workload will be Monday but he knows he will see No. 7 out on the field.
“We’re expecting him to play,” DeBoer said. “He’s been through this over the last couple of months, and he hasn’t missed any time there. He’s had a good week getting back healthy.”
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb isn’t expecting there to be any limitations per Johnson’s use.
“He’s done a great job the last couple days where really we were more worried about his foot initially, and now he’s really feeling good,” Grubb said Saturday. “Yesterday he was able get out there and move around. And so I think today he’ll take another step of practice.”
–Field Level Media