The Washington Huskies have been hit hard by injuries this season, with 11 different players missing time at various points.
Against Minnesota, they were down to just 10 available players but still managed to grind out a win. The latest setback came when Bryson Tucker hurt his thumb in practice earlier in the week.
After the victory over Minnesota, head coach Danny Sprinkle addressed Tucker’s status but didn’t provide a firm timeline.
He admitted he wasn’t sure how long the recovery would take and said the training staff would ultimately determine Tucker’s return.
Bryson Tucker
Sprinkle noted that Tucker is currently wearing a brace on his right hand similar to the one Wesley Yates has been using.
For now, Tucker appears to be considered day-to-day. Sprinkle’s comparison to Yates is noteworthy because Yates has continued playing despite his own hand injury.
The coach mentioned that Yates regularly ices his hand after games and is still not fully recovered, yet continues to push through.
That raises the possibility that Tucker could follow a similar rehab approach.
Sprinkle also pointed out that Minnesota is dealing with injury problems of its own, emphasizing that late in the season, most teams are managing some level of physical wear and tear — from minor stingers to more serious issues.
The Huskies can hardly afford additional setbacks. Although they are likely out of contention for the NCAA Tournament, there is still pride and momentum on the line.
Upcoming games against Maryland and Rutgers look winnable on paper, but after a loss to Penn State, nothing can be taken for granted.
