Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch is confident DeSean Watts will play Saturday, despite his addition to the injury report.
The Washington Huskies football team will see the return of one of its best defensive players for its Big Ten opener against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at 8 p.m. PT on Saturday at Husky Stadium in Seattle.
Fourth-year defensive tackle Elinneus Davis will be back on the field after a two-game layoff with a calf injury. Davis, who already plays with noticeable intensity on the interior defensive line, could be playing with an extra intensity against the Golden Gophers, who represent his home state.
The reintroduction of Davis to the defensive line rotation could also help the Huskies make up for another potential absence.
Fourth-year defensive tackle DeSean Watts was listed on the team's injury report Wednesday as "questionable."
The injury designation is a new one for Watts, who has been a key part of UW's defensive line through the team's first three games of the season.
In a weekly news conference held via Zoom on Thursday, Washington head coach Jedd Fisch didn't clarify the ailment Watts is currently dealing with, but was confident in the Sacramento State's transfer's availability Saturday.
Fisch was also showed faith in his defensive line to be able to perform Saturday regardless of Watts' injury status.
"We're in a great spot there," Fisch said. "Elinneus is back and we haven't had Elinneus for a couple weeks. ... (Darin Conley's) doing great, (Derek Colman-Brusa's) during great, (Kai McClendon) being healthy is great. I think DeSean should be able to play, we have to wait to double-check that. But, assuming everything goes well today, he'll be able to play, as well, if his rehab continues on-track for a Saturday game."
Through three games this year, Watts has five total tackles (four solo), including two tackles for loss in addition to a sack.
In his one game so far this season, Davis recorded one solo tackle.
The defensive line has been arguably the strongest unit on the team this season.
Through three games, eight UW defensive linemen have at least one tackle for loss.
Edge rusher Jacob Lane leads the team with three, Colman-Brusa has two, Watts has his two, Conley has 1.5 and McClendon and edge rushers Isaiah Ward, Russell Davis II and Devin Hyde all have one.
The Huskies defensive line and secondary will have to work in tandem to neutralize the passing attack of the Golden Gophers, which will be headed by junior year quarterback Drake Lindsey, who drew praise from defensive coordinator Ryan Walters in a news conference earlier this week.
