Second-year Julian McMahan became the latest UW running back to catch the injury bug.
SEATTLE — Injuries have plagued the Washington Huskies football team for the entire season, and that bad lack persisted Saturday.
Before the Huskies' eventual 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Big Ten opener, injured running backs, second-year Quaid Carr and fourth-year Jayden Limar, were both in jerseys but not pads, as is the norm for injured players.
However, a fellow running back not on the injury report in the days leading up to the game was also out of pads.
Second-year running back Julian McMahan was walking next to Carr in a boot on his right ankle. After the loss, Washington head coach Jedd Fisch confirmed McMahan's injury will be a long-term one.
"Julian McMahan is out for the year, as well," Fisch said in a postgame interview Saturday. "(He's out) for something that happened in practice. ... We're down four right now. ... We're gonna have to figure it out."
The running back room has been hit with injuries more than any other unit on the team, dating back before the season even began:
Jordan Washington, third-year (neck)
Washington entered the offseason as the presumptive starter with the departures of the team's top two rushers from 2025, Jonah Coleman (NFL Draft) and Adam Mohammed (transfer portal).
The third-year back's offseason as the lead back ended before it began as he suffered a neck injury early in spring practice.
Washington's potential status for the season has gone through several conflicting updates since.
Early reports suggested that Washington would likely miss the season, with the chance he could play again. Fisch suggested earlier in the season that, based on his rehab, Washington could return at some point this season based on whether or not he's cleared from doctors.
Fisch said Saturday that Washington isn't expected back "anytime soon at all."
Quaid Carr, second-year (wrist)
Carr stepped up as the team's primary starter in place of Washington. He ended up suffering a wrist injury in the team's Week 1 win against the Washington State Cougars on Sept. 6 and underwent surgery. He's likely out for the year.
Jayden Limar, fourth-year (elbow)
Limar, who split reps with Carr in Week 1 and was listed as the second running back on the team's depth chart, suffered an injury in the same game as Carr on one of the final plays of the game.
Carr, who the team acquired in the transfer portal from the Oregon Ducks, is also expected to be out an extended period of time.
Julian McMahan, second-year (foot/ankle)
McMahan apparently suffered his injury in the week of practice leading up to Saturday's game against Minnesota. He redshirted last season and hasn't recorded a carry in his time with UW.
Who's left?
Washington is now down to five running backs on the roster, only one of whom has more than three games of experience in his career and none with more than that mark with the Huskies.
Here's a look at the options UW has left in the running back room:
-- D'Aryhian Clemons (second-year)
-- Ryken Moon (second-year)
-- Brian Bonner (first-year)
-- Ansu Sanoe (first-year)
-- Trey Cooley (sixth-year)
Fourth-year tight end Kade Eldridge has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for carries. He played running back in high school and received snaps at running back in Washington's win against the Eastern Washington Eagles on Sept. 19.
