Jaxson Kirkland is anxiously waiting to make his 2022 debut.

First, the super-senior offensive lineman was forced to sit out UW’s opener against Kent State as a condition of his reinstatement by the NCAA. Then, last week, he was a late scratch against Portland State out of caution. Eight months removed from ankle surgery that forced him to leave the NFL Draft pool and return to Washington — the reason he needed to appeal the NCAA to reinstate him — Kirkland is close.

And, as The Seattle Times’ Mike Vorel spotted after practice Wednesday, he’s putting in the time.

UW offensive coordinator talked about the lineman status earlier this week.

“We’re just following the medical advice and listening to those guys,” Ryan Grubb said. “I know Jaxson is itching to get out there. Again, making progress every day. He had another good practice out there even yesterday. Looked really good on the field, so just trying to make sure we don’t have any setbacks. That’s the biggest thing. You come back one week too early and then you set him back for two or three weeks. That would not be optimal, obviously, so we’re just trying to make sure we follow the medical advice and push him as far as we can go.”

Interpreted: UW expects him to play against Michigan State.

“Officially, we are planning on him playing,” Grubb said. “We really are. We are going to keep trying to push it.”

The 6-foot-7 tackle is a key piece of Washington’s rebirth under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. He’s a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection and has started every game he’s appeared in for the Huskies.

UW has had no trouble putting up points through its first two weeks, but the return of a healthy Kirkland to the line-up would no doubt inject even more confidence into the group. Washington hosts No. 11 Michigan State on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT on ABC.