Huskies Hope to Have Everyone Back for Oregon, Including Tuli

Veteran defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa was the lone University of Washington casualty at Arizona on Saturday night after he was helped off the field with a lower-body injury in the opening half of the 31-24 victory and unable to return.

Husky coach Kalen DeBoer, at his weekly news briefing, said the 6-foot-1, 292-pound Letuligasanoa and others stood a good chance to be ready to play again for the Oregon game on Oct. 14.

However, the coach pointed out that Letuligasenoa likely wouldn't have been able to go this week had a game been scheduled rather than the bye that gives him a chance. 

"Bye week is really critical for him," DeBoer said. "Maybe this next week, it would have been tough, but I'm really hopeful he'll be ready to go in two weeks."

Co-defensive coordinator Willam Inge was even more emphatic about having Letuligasenoa back in the lineup while describing the player in colorful terms.

"The one thing about him is he is tougher than nails and meaner than a hornet," Inge said. "He'll be like he needs to be at game time."

Letuligasenoa doesn't miss many games. Over his six-year UW career, he is one of the Huskies' most experienced players, having started 28 of 44 career outings. He played in at least one game in each of his half-dozen seasons in Montlake. 

The Huskies additionally will try return junior wide receiver Jalen McMIllan, senior free safety Asa Turner and junior offensive guard Julius Buelow to active duty.

McMillan and Buelow suffered leg injuries at Michigan State and haven't played since, while Turner appeared to hurt a hand on the first play of the second game against Tulsa and hasn't played since.

Also, DeBoer confirmed that junior wide receiver Rome Odunze was shaken up while recovering a late-game onside kick at Arizona but he should be fine moving ahead.

"He got the wind knocked out of him," the coach said. "He definitely took a hit there." 

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