Washington will head to Purdue on Friday with more than one hole in the rotation.
The Huskies are already expected to be without third-year quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who left the Oct. 9 loss to Iowa with a rib injury. Now, the latest Big Ten injury report adds two more names to the list: first-year running back Ansu Sanoe and third-year defensive tackle Kai McClendon are both out for the 5 p.m. PT matchup at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Sanoe’s absence trims an already thin backfield. He had settled in as Washington’s third running back after injuries hit second-year Quaid Carr and fourth-year Jayden Limar in Week 1. At 6-foot and 240 pounds, he’s been used mainly in short-yardage and goal-line work, and this season he has carried seven times for eight yards and two touchdowns.
With Sanoe sidelined, Washington’s depth chart at running back now starts with first-year Brian Bonner Jr., followed by sixth-year Trey Cooley and second-year Ryken Moon. Fourth-year tight end Kade Eldridge has also taken carries this season and could be asked to handle even more backfield work with the recent injury issues.
Sanoe is the fifth Washington running back to miss time this season. Jordan Washington, the assumptive starter entering the offseason, suffered a neck injury in spring practice, while Julian McMahan is out for the season with a foot/ankle injury.
McClendon’s absence is another hit to the front line. He transferred to Washington from Mississippi State this offseason after sitting out the 2024-25 season because of an injury, following an impressive true freshman campaign. The junior defensive lineman spent much of the offseason working back from the same injury that ended his sophomore year at Mississippi State, and he opened the season on a snap count that has grown with each game.
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