Washington State could be getting a key piece back on offense soon.
Tight end Trey Leckner is “getting closer” to returning from the foot injury that has sidelined him since the summer, coach Kirby Moore said Thursday. Leckner is expected to miss WSU’s home game against Arizona this weekend, but Moore said he’ll be considered “game-to-game” after that.
“He’s been moving around quite a bit in practice,” Moore added.
That would be a welcome development for a Cougars offense that has not exactly hit its stride through three games, even with last weekend’s blowout of FCS Duquesne. Leckner has the look of WSU’s best pass-catching tight end, and his presence could give quarterback Caden Pinnick and offensive coordinator Matt Miller another reliable option.
A redshirt junior from Snohomish, Leckner started 9 of 13 games last season and caught 24 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, tying for the third-most touchdown catches by a tight end in WSU single-season history. In 2024, he appeared in 12 games, starting two, and finished with three catches for 56 yards and a score.
With Leckner out, veteran transfer Jack Pedersen has handled the starting tight end role. He has four catches for 15 yards and a touchdown, with that score coming against Duquesne. WSU also has younger options in Peyton Read and Cash Landau.
There’s also uncertainty on defense, where cornerback Jalil Tucker is a game-time decision against Arizona, Moore said. Tucker was injured in the Sept.
6 Apple Cup, missed the next game against Kansas State and was in street clothes on the sideline. He dressed and warmed up against Duquesne but did not play.
The Cougars have already tried a couple of different solutions at cornerback while Tucker has been out. Against Kansas State, they used redshirt senior Kai Rapolla, who struggled by missing two tackles and allowing three catches on four targets.
Against Duquesne, they shifted nickelback Jamarey Smith to corner and brought in safety Jackquintin Ball, a setup that appeared to work better. If Tucker can’t go this weekend, that same look could be back in play.
Moore also sounded more optimistic about kicker Jack Stevens, who has opened the season 1-for-5 on field goals, an unusually rough stretch for a player who has been dependable. During Wednesday’s practice, Stevens finished a two-minute drill by drilling a field goal from about 45 or 50 yards.
“Really, it’s about the work,” Moore said, “and he’s doing a really good job throughout this week.”
For now, it appears WSU will stay with Stevens, who also missed the first extra point of his career against Duquesne. If the Cougars ever do decide to make a switch, the most likely alternative is transfer kicker Miguel Arenas, who has handled kickoff duties this season and appears to have the stronger leg.
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