Washington Huskies Offensive Lineman Likely Out Against No. 18 USC Trojans

The Washington Huskies won't get a boost on the offensive line for its first road game of the season against the No. 18 Southern California (USC) Trojans on Saturday at L.A. Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.

According to a post on "X" from ESPN College Football insider Pete Thamel, fourth-year center Landen Hatchett is considered doubtful for today's game against the Trojans.

The fourth-year offensive lineman was considered a game-time decision by the coaching staff this week leading to the game.

Hatchett has yet to play a game for Washington this season due to a wrist injury he suffered in a game last year against Illinois. Hatchett played in two more games last season following the injury, but underwent two surgeries in the offseason which have only pushed back his timeline further.

Hatchett was held out for spring practice and underwent his second wrist surgery in May. It was anticipated by the coaching staff that the 6-foot-3, 315-pound center would be able to return for the final weeks of fall training camp, but it soon became clear that wasn't in the cards.

Hatchett's targeted date for return was pushed back to UW's Big Ten opener against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sept. 26, which the Huskies lost 27-24.

"When he had his surgery that first week in December, there was no thought process at all (that he would be out this long)," Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch said in a weekly news conference held via Zoom on Thursday. "We felt he'd be fully involved starting June 1. But then he had another surgery."

Despite Thamel's report, it appears UW is holding out to the last possible moment to hold out Hatchett for a fifth game this season. 

According to a post on "X" from Huskies Wire reporter Roman Tomashoff, third-year quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was taking snaps from Hatchett and fourth-year lineman Kolt Dieterich in warmups.

Hatchett was named to the preseason watchlist for the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the best center in the country. Washington has sorely missed the experience and ability of the fourth-year player on the offensive line.

The Huskies have struggled in the run game and are one of the youngest teams in the country as a team, but also on the line. First-year Kodi Greene has been the team's left tackle all season and has gone through his expected growing pains. Dieterich, who transferred to UW from Sam Houston State after being one of the highest-graded linemen in Conference-USA, has filled in for Hatchett at center, but didn't have any experience at the position before this year.