Purdue heads into Friday’s matchup with Washington in decent shape, but the Huskies’ quarterback situation is the one to watch.
In the week’s first availability report, the Boilermakers were again relatively clean, while Washington listed starting quarterback Demond Williams Jr. among several notable names. Williams is officially questionable because of a rib injury, and head coach Jedd Fisch said this week he would be surprised if Williams is available, even though he did not completely rule him out for the game at Ross-Ade Stadium.
If Williams can’t go, Purdue will have to prep for Elijah Brown again after Brown sparked Washington’s offense in last Friday’s 41-24 loss to No. 20 Iowa. Brown completed 28-of-39 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns.
That uncertainty matters for Purdue because Williams has already shown what he can do against the Boilermakers. Last season in Seattle, he completed 16-of-19 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns in Washington’s 49-13 win. This year, through six games, Williams has thrown for 1,396 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions, while also running for 183 yards and two scores.
So the Boilermakers may need to be ready for either quarterback by Friday night.
On Purdue’s side, the report looks unchanged after Saturday’s 41-13 win over Minnesota. The Boilers remain without defensive back Mister Clark and offensive tackle Joey Tanona.
Clark saw action in the season opener against Indiana State, but he has not played since. Tanona still has not been cleared for game action this season.
Tight end Kylan Fox and defensive back Raderrion Daniels are also out. Both suffered knee injuries in fall camp and are expected to miss the entire 2026 season.
Washington’s report includes several other names beyond Williams. Linebacker Xe'ree Alexander is doubtful after totaling 19 tackles this season.
Defensive lineman Kai McClendon, defensive end Jacob Lane and cornerback Jeron Jones are all questionable. Jones has 19 tackles, two pass break-ups and an interception, while Lane has four tackles for loss and McClendon has 1.5 tackles for loss.
The Huskies also listed offensive linemen Jack Shaffer and Justin Hylkema as questionable.
Five Washington players are out for Friday: running back Jordan Washington, wide receiver Christian Moss, running back Jaydin Limar, running back Quaid Carr and safety C.J. Christian.
In Other News...
Purdue Built The Big Ten Standard Even After Losing Star Power
Purdue enters this season without the kind of headline star power that usually drives preseason buzz, but the program still looks built to withstand the usual roster churn. Even after losing several key players, the Boilermakers bring back five full-time rotation pieces and continue to lean on a culture that has emphasized retention and continuity. Around the Big Ten, that approach has become part of Purdues identity as much as any single player ever was.
What makes the Boilermakers hard to dismiss is how often that formula keeps them in the conference race even when the personnel changes. Opposing coaches have taken note of the steadiness, and Purdue is still projected to land in the top third of the league despite losing its top scorers and needing new faces to fill bigger roles. For a program that has made consistency look repeatable, the bigger question is not whether it can stay relevant, but how high that floor can really hold. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Henson May Be The Biggest Reason Purdue Looks Different
Purdues offense has looked far more functional this season, and a big part of that turnaround has been second-year coordinator Josh Henson. The Boilermakers have been able to move the ball with more consistency, with quarterback Ryan Browne and running back Fame Ijeboi both giving the unit a steadier rhythm than it had in recent seasons.
Hensons value has shown up most clearly in how adaptable the attack has become from week to week. Purdue has found ways to change its approach based on the opponent, and that flexibility has helped the Boilermakers stay productive even when the game script shifts. The next question is whether that growing comfort can keep holding up as the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue May Finally Be Turning A Corner After Dominant Big Ten Win
Purdues 41-13 win over Minnesota at Ross-Ade Stadium looked like more than just a one-off breakthrough. The Boilermakers put together a complete Big Ten performance, with the offense moving the ball, the defense controlling the game and the special teams and coaching both doing their part in a result that mattered well beyond one Saturday afternoon.
The running game, in particular, gave Purdue a different kind of edge and helped the Boilermakers stack back-to-back conference wins for the first time since the end of the 2022 season. Against the team he once backed up, Fame Ijeboi led the way in a performance that underscored how much this offense has started to settle in, and Purdue now has a chance to build on a stretch that at least hints the turnaround may be taking hold. [Read more 🡒]