SEATTLE -- Here is a quick-hitting look at Washington’s fourth day of fall camp.
Cooper still smiling
One day after learning he had suffered a third season-ending ACL injury, running back Deontae Cooper was back on the field with his teammates.
His season was over before it had a chance to get started for the third year in a row – but he was still smiling.
“He’s just an absolute stud,” Sarkisian said. “He was, obviously, shook up, like anyone would be, but you just see that guy’s will inside, why he’s so unique and special and why people love him so much – he’s back out here today with a smile on his face.”
When Cooper saw Sarkisian, he had a simple message.
“Coach, I’ll be back,” he said.
When Sarkisian first heard the news, his reaction was, “How could it happen again?” He broke the news to his team after Wednesday’s practice, setting a somber tone to the Huskies’ post-practice meeting.
“It was hard as a team, because you get attached to people as a program and as a family,” said Sarkisian, who added this is the first time he’s seen three ACL injuries to one player. “You see a guy with Deontae, the work ethic that he has, his ability to persevere, not only through one ACL, but he comes all the way back and then another. He had himself in great shape, ready to go. It’s extremely difficult.”
If there is a player capable of returning from a third ACL injury, Sarkisian is confident it is Cooper.
“I don’t know if there’s anybody that will handle it better than Deontae will,” Sarkisian said.
With Cooper looking on, the Huskies went back to work Thursday.
“We’re here to work,” running backs coach Joel Thomas said. “There’s no doubt about it. The thing that we do all realize is that injuries are part of the game. It’s a brotherhood that we have through the group. We talk about taking care of him and making sure we’re there for him, but they’re here to work. They got better today.”
Recruiting update
Washington commit Daeshon Hall spent the afternoon at practice. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound defensive end was one of seven players to give Washington verbal commitments on June 29.
He spent his first two seasons at Seattle (Wash.) Garfield before transferring to Lancaster (Texas) as a junior.
Injury issues
Sarkisian called them “fluke” injuries.
Through four days of practice the Huskies have suffered several injuries during drills with very little contact.
Receiver James Johnson sprained his foot. Defensive end Hau'oli Jamora sprained his knee. Linebacker Nate Fellner suffered a foot injury.
“Some stuff is obvious, when you see the big collision or a guy getting pulled down in an awkward way,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve just had some bad luck. The good thing is, I think we’ve finally got a roster with the depth where we can withstand some of these injuries.”
Jamora will have an arthroscopic procedure as a precaution. He is expected to miss about two weeks.
“I would rather him miss two weeks now than down the road it affect him for the season,” Sarkisian said.
Walk-on cornerback making plays
Tre Watson keeps making plays.
The 5-foot-9, 183-pound walk-on junior corner back has been impressive throughout the first week of fall camp.
“He’s a scrappy guy,” Sarkisian said. “He’s got a very high football IQ. He has a knack for understanding where the ball is going to go. Even when a guy is catching the ball, he has a unique understanding of where the ball is going to go to the tuck and he gets in there and finds a way to punch it out.”
No more “dumb penalties”
For the second day in a row, Sarkisian was forced to send a message about “dumb penalties.”
After some extra pushing and shoving between running back Willis Wilson and corner back Desmond Trufant at the end of a play, safety Sean Parker knocked Wilson down.
It happened out of bounds, well after the play was over.
“What bothered me about Sean’s deal today, that was a huge point of emphasis after yesterday’s practice and last night’s meeting,” Sarkisian said. “To come out today, his emotions got the better of him. That’s not OK. That’s a selfish move.”