Edefuan Ulofoshio’s return to the football field will take a little longer than initially expected.

The junior linebacker missed the back half of the 2021 season for Washington with an undisclosed injury, and head coach Kalen DeBoer announced Monday during a pre-spring press conference that Ulofoshio will miss more time with another unspecified injury that was suffered during winter conditioning.

“He will miss some games,” DeBoer said. “We hope to have him for a part of the season. I know he’s determined to push through. He’s a determined guy, motivated, and always upbeat. He’s attacking it.”

It’s a tough blow to have to absorb for the new coaching staff.

A former walk-on out of Bishop Gorman (Nev.), Ulofoshio jumped into the spotlight as a redshirt freshman in 2019 when he supplied 47 tackles (fifth on the team), 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble that year. He added 47 more tackles during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. In just four games, the All-Pac-12 Second Team selection also produced four pass breakups, a sack, and a forced fumble. He had 51 tackles last season in six games.

His absence will put the onus on a room short on both experience and depth to make the most of UW’s upcoming spring period.

Cam Bright, a grad transfer from Pitt this offseason, is expected to slide into a starting spot alongside Carson Bruener, who stepped up last fall in Ulofoshio’s absence. The 6-foot-2 legacy linebacker totaled 70 tackles (second on the team), 2.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception. Other options in the room include sophomores Daniel Heimuli and Alphonzo Tuputala and junior college transfer Demario King.

Washington will also be without a few other names, with a bulk of the hit impacting the running back room.

Cam Davis and Richard Newton will miss spring ball, UW offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb revealed. Newton had surgery midway through last season to repair a torn ACL. Davis’ injury is a new one. DeBoer expects those guys back for fall camp.

Redshirt freshman tailback Emeka Megwa will also miss spring ball, DeBoer said. Redshirt freshman Sam Adams II will be limited and won’t participate in contact drills.

Camden Sirmon, a former quarterback, has also moved to running back seemingly to help provide some depth to that position. Outside of him, UW has three healthy scholarship backs to work with this spring: Aaron Dumas, Jay’Veon Sunday, and Caleb Berry. Dumas transferred into the program this offseason from New Mexico.

DeBoer added that redshirt freshman wideout Jabez Tinae will be in the same category as Adams—a limited participant this spring.

Washington begins spring ball on Wednesday.