Originally published Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Huskies quarterback says he'll be ready for Oregon opener
Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Locker, back from a hamstring injury, says he'll take it slow in practice but expects to play in the Aug. 30 football opener against the Oregon Ducks.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Washington quarterback Jake Locker doesn't really know or care if he remains limited in practice today, tomorrow, the rest of this week or next week.
Aug. 30 in Eugene, Ore., is his only concern now.
And his status that day, he said, won't be a concern.
Asked Tuesday if he'll be 100 percent for the season opener against the Ducks, Locker said, "I don't expect to be anything less."
For that reason, Locker is fighting his instincts to let it rip in practice, even after finally getting the OK to return this week. He participated in his second day of full-pads practice Tuesday since suffering what the team officially called a strained left hamstring in a practice Aug. 7. He was sidelined until Monday.
Tuesday, in his first public comments since returning, he said he's still limited in what he can do and for now, won't try to force his return to full speed.
"I don't want to do anything that's going to possibly re-injure it or push me back any," Locker said. "So when I feel comfortable with it, I will [go full speed]. If that's Saturday the 30th, then that's what it will be."
Locker said he has had no setbacks in his rehabilitation.
"I haven't had any pain," he said. "They want me to do everything I'm doing to do it pain-free, and that was the case [Monday]. I'm not really allowed to open up and really sprint yet. We'll see day by day when I'm able to do that. But besides that I feel really good."
Asked if he thought he could "open it up" Locker said, "I feel like I could, but it's not necessary at this point."
A big test could come Thursday, when the team is expected to hold its final full-scale scrimmage of fall camp. Oregon preparations begin in earnest after that, though UW coach Tyrone Willingham reiterated that caution will be the watchword for the next two weeks.
"We know hamstrings can take some time, but we've said all along it will be day-to-day, steady progress with him, and I thought for what he did [Monday] he did pretty good," Willingham said.
![]()
"The key thing is to have him as close to full speed as possible [for Oregon]. Even if he had not had a hamstring injury, the chances of most of the guys being 100 percent for game day is kind of remote. There is always something nagging you or pulling you back."
Washington offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said last week that the most important thing for Locker was to get back by game week to re-establish timing with the team's young group of receivers.
Locker said he doesn't think his time away — 11 days and 12 practices — will have much of an impact on that.
"I got a chance to throw all the seven-on-seven stuff [last week], so hopefully the next couple of days I'll get comfortable with that again," he said.
Notes
• Ducks coach Mike Bellotti said Monday the quarterback race between sophomores Nate Costa and Justin Roper was "too close to call" and that the team might not name a starter until next week.
• Bellotti said this week that the only Ducks sure to miss the UW game are receiver Drew Davis (tonsillectomy) and DE Dominic Glover (back). Davis was a second-teamer heading into camp, Glover a deep reserve.
Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
Steve Kelley: Huskies have to learn to finish
College Football | Northwestern stuns Iowa
Donald Butler isn't sorry about big hit on UCLA quarterback

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
- Using anti-shooter tactics, civilian Army police officer brought down gunman
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Heavy snow in Cascades shuts down roads
- Consortium on verge of owning Eastside railway land
- Suspect in officer's slaying shot by police
- UCLA game thread
939 - Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
389 - Weapons, bomb-making materials found in suspect's apartment
334 - Decision day for health care in the House
200 - McGinn widens lead over Mallahan in Seattle mayoral race
183 - U.S. House passes health plan
110 - Schools emerge as new tactic in gay marriage votes
99 - Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
95 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
82 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
80
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- Consortium on verge of owning Eastside railway land
- Guest columnist | Cut the South Carolina jokes, Seattle. Get ready to compete
- Movie review | 'An Education' you won't forget
- Practical Mac | With new features, Apple's MobileMe is worth the price
- H1N1 vaccine for high-risk group coming to King Co. pharmacies
- Shoreline man killed when struck by falling tree part
- Do It in a Day | Spend a cozy, homey day in Edmonds





