SEATTLE — The Washington Huskies football team is just over a week away from the most important date of spring practice — that being the team's "Dawgs After Dark" spring game, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT on May 1 at Husky Stadium in Seattle.

The Huskies opted for a light practice Thursday, donning the Spyder pads rather than full pads.

Even with it being a lighter practice in the lead-up to the spring game, there were still several noteworthy takeaways from the day.

Here's several notes and observations from Thursday's practice:

Over the last two seasons, junior Washington tight end Decker DeGraaf has emerged as a consistent outlet in the team's passing game.

In his first two years, the 6-foot-3, 245-pound tight end has compiled 47 catches for 593 yards and five touchdowns.

DeGraaf, along with sophomore wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck, have been the go-to targets for junior quarterback Demond Williams Jr. this spring. And if practice is any indication, there's a good chance DeGraaf takes another step forward in the passing game.

During Thursday's practice in 11-on-11 sessions, DeGraaf got a chunk of yardage on a curl route. Later in the day, He had a deep catch on a seam route.

"(DeGraaf and Roebuck) are definitely guys that get open a lot, especially in that slot role," Williams said after practice Thursday. "Finding the middle of the field, things like that."

This spring has been a display of dominance from the defense from the very first practice.

The offense has steadily improved as the spring has progressed. Thursday was a great day for the offense, which was able to get massive chunk plays even with players not allowed to hit.

However, that didn't stop the defense from having highlight moments.

Senior linebacker Jacob Manu had an interception after a pass from Williams was tipped at the line of scrimmage.

Washington's running back room has been room has been on of the lightest of the spring.

Veteran transfer portal additions Jayden Limar (Oregon) and Trey Cooley (Troy) both won't be participating until the fall due to recovery from respective surgeries.

The presumptive starter in the backfield this spring, sophomore Jordan Washington, is still nursing a neck injury from a play earlier this spring where he was stiff-armed to the turf trying to make a tackle on an interception return.

Without the veteran tailbacks and Washington out, redshirt freshman Quad Carr Jr. has taken over the primary first-team reps. And he's been impressive.

Carr broke off two runs on Thursday for decent yardage. He drew praise from Williams and running backs/assistant head coach Scottie Graham for his speed and agility.

Carr's speed is his biggest calling card as a player but there's also some strength behind his runs, as he showed in UW's scrimmage April 18.

"It's great," Williams said. "Definitely keeps (the defense) on their heels a little bit. Get (Carr) outside, get him between the tackles — either way. I think when he gets to that second level he can do whatever he wants, really."

-- Senior cornerback Emmanuel Karnley, who was been one of the highlight performers of the spring and the presumptive starter at outside cornerback alongside sophomore Dylan Robinson, didn't participate in team drills Thursday. He was off to the side working with trainers during position drills.

Freshman cornerback Jeron Jones and sophomore corner Elias Johnson filled in for Karnley on the outside for the first-team defense.

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