Arizona's Jedd Fisch gives an injury update on Arizona running back Michael Wiley
Arizona running back Michael Wiley practiced on Sunday, but he was limited.
Wiley exited Saturday’s loss to Oregon at halftime with what the team called an abdominal/oblique injury. He finished with just six carries for 10 yards. Coach Jedd Fisch said on Monday at his weekly press conference the Wildcats were hopeful to have him back for Saturday’s trip to Washington.
"We'll have to see on Mike. I'm hopeful." – Fisch on RB Michael Wiley's status for Saturday at UW
— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) October 10, 2022
Jonah Coleman and DJ Williams handled the load for Arizona in the second half against the Ducks. Coleman finished with 74 yards on nine carries. Williams had 65 and a touchdown on just six carries.
Arizona’s ground game was a whole lot from a little in the game, though. Williams had a 52-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and not much else. Coleman had a 43-yard carry in the first half and a 13-yarder in the second half. Those three constituted the only explosive run plays the team had, though.
Wiley has been the team’s most productive back through the opening half of the season. He has a team-leading 57 carries for a team-leading 297 yards and a team-leading three scores. He’s also been a dependable target for quarterback Jayden de Laura in the pass game, logging 16 receptions for 125 yards and two scores.
Coleman and Williams could certainly carry the load on the ground against Washington, but they also have a combined nine catches between them this season. It would be an adjustment if Wiley wasn’t available. We’ll see.
Arizona (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12) faces Washington (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) Saturday at 2:30 p.m. PT on the Pac-12 Network.