Finally Arizona looks like it will have some relief that is of course if you believe the injury report. It certainly looks better this week being a little more top heavy with more healthy players, but there are still a lot of question marks. Here is a rundown of the team that has become the walking wounded as it prepares for Saturday's game with USC.
Probable
The good news for Arizona this week is that some of the injured are making progress. Now that doesn't guarantee they'll be out on the field but it is a good indication of some improvement. All five players on the probable list have been in the rotation at one point this season. Defensive lineman Luca Bruno and his nagging ankle injury are back in the mix again as he is listed as probable for the game. Jamardre Cobb, who has been out with a knee injury since early in the season, is making progress and is probable as well. Shawn Poindexter (foot) and Freddie Tagaloa (knee) are also two probables for this week's game.
The most notable name on the probable list, however, is Nick Wilson. The UA running back was upgraded this week after being questionable heading into the Utah game. He did try to give it a go against the Utes but after warming up he didn't feel like he was getting the right kind of push off his injured ankle so he didn't play. Rich Rodriguez said Wilson was doing more this week and for now he'll be a game-time decision.
Questionable
The 'ol quarterback position. Arizona has had to find answers there all season long and it eventually led to pulling Khalil Tate's redshirt. This week Arizona is in essentially the same position it was in last week with the difference being Brandon Dawkins trying to recover from a concussion instead of a rib injury. Tate came in for Dawkins agains the Utes and maybe this is the week he finally gets his first start. Rodriguez said he had a couple different plans in place for the quarterback spot this week but it was all dependent on Dawkins healthy. Tentatively it SHOULD be the first start for Tate, but again it is a similar scenario to last week.
If the staff doesn't feel like Dawkins is in any danger he'll be the one out there Saturday against USC.
Wednesday UA's defensive line coach Vince Amey said he hoped to have his injured linemen back soon and the Wildcats are getting closer. Parker Zellers and Bruno have been out for a couple games now and this week both were upgraded from out. Zellers has missed time because of a knee injury and he was off the depth chart entirely on Monday. Now he is officially listed as questionable but good money is on him sitting another week at the least. Arizona has been able to manage for the time being at nose with Aiulua Fanene and Finton Connolly.
Doubtful
It shouldn't come as a surprise at all but Anu Solomon continues to stay doubtful this week. He has been wearing full pads when Arizona has full contact days, but he remains doubtful with his knee injury. Unless things get severely dire at the quarterback spot it just doesn't feel like this is changing any time soon.
Out
Arizona is still dealing with severely injured players and on the list this week is Cody Ippolito who will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. In addition to the UA linebacker the Wildcats will be without starting safety Isaiah Hayes. The freshman just recently moved into a starting role but a shot he delivered early in the Utah game knocked him out of the game with a concussion. He will now miss Saturday's game against USC because of it.
Probable
The good news for Arizona this week is that some of the injured are making progress. Now that doesn't guarantee they'll be out on the field but it is a good indication of some improvement. All five players on the probable list have been in the rotation at one point this season. Defensive lineman Luca Bruno and his nagging ankle injury are back in the mix again as he is listed as probable for the game. Jamardre Cobb, who has been out with a knee injury since early in the season, is making progress and is probable as well. Shawn Poindexter (foot) and Freddie Tagaloa (knee) are also two probables for this week's game.
The most notable name on the probable list, however, is Nick Wilson. The UA running back was upgraded this week after being questionable heading into the Utah game. He did try to give it a go against the Utes but after warming up he didn't feel like he was getting the right kind of push off his injured ankle so he didn't play. Rich Rodriguez said Wilson was doing more this week and for now he'll be a game-time decision.
Questionable
The 'ol quarterback position. Arizona has had to find answers there all season long and it eventually led to pulling Khalil Tate's redshirt. This week Arizona is in essentially the same position it was in last week with the difference being Brandon Dawkins trying to recover from a concussion instead of a rib injury. Tate came in for Dawkins agains the Utes and maybe this is the week he finally gets his first start. Rodriguez said he had a couple different plans in place for the quarterback spot this week but it was all dependent on Dawkins healthy. Tentatively it SHOULD be the first start for Tate, but again it is a similar scenario to last week.
If the staff doesn't feel like Dawkins is in any danger he'll be the one out there Saturday against USC.
Wednesday UA's defensive line coach Vince Amey said he hoped to have his injured linemen back soon and the Wildcats are getting closer. Parker Zellers and Bruno have been out for a couple games now and this week both were upgraded from out. Zellers has missed time because of a knee injury and he was off the depth chart entirely on Monday. Now he is officially listed as questionable but good money is on him sitting another week at the least. Arizona has been able to manage for the time being at nose with Aiulua Fanene and Finton Connolly.
Doubtful
It shouldn't come as a surprise at all but Anu Solomon continues to stay doubtful this week. He has been wearing full pads when Arizona has full contact days, but he remains doubtful with his knee injury. Unless things get severely dire at the quarterback spot it just doesn't feel like this is changing any time soon.
Out
Arizona is still dealing with severely injured players and on the list this week is Cody Ippolito who will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. In addition to the UA linebacker the Wildcats will be without starting safety Isaiah Hayes. The freshman just recently moved into a starting role but a shot he delivered early in the Utah game knocked him out of the game with a concussion. He will now miss Saturday's game against USC because of it.
