Tramayne Bondurant tries to bring down Washington receiver Kasen Williams. Photo by Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE
Even with four suspensions over, the Arizona Wildcats secondary could remain shorthanded this week in a Homecoming game against Utah.
Injuries have, again, hit the unit, which has been without starting cornerback Jonathan McKnight all season and starting safety Adam Hall for all but one game.
Starting cornerback Shaquille Richardson, who was suspended for the game at Washington because of fighting against UCLA, suffered a sprained ankle in practice last Thursday and might not be available.
“I’m hoping we get him back, but there are no guarantees there,” Kish said.
His replacement last week, freshman Cortez Johnson, is suffering from concussion-like symptoms and is doubtful, interim head coach Tim Kish said. Johnson recently missed a couple of games because of a concussion, so trainers will be especially cautious with Johnson as they do more testing.
“If it is in any way, shape or form even near a concussion … it won’t be this week,” Kish said of Johnson’s return to the field.
Nickel back Jourdon Grandon, returning from suspension, is likely to compete this week with Lyle Brown for a starting safety spot if the other two corners are unavailable. True freshman Tramayne Bondurant, who has been a revelation in the past two weeks as a hybrid safety/linebacker, will remain in that role.
“He won’t come off the field the rest of the year,” Kish said.
Then there is safety Robert Golden, who is day-to-day, Kish said, because of severe dehydration, which he suffered after his zig-zagging 91-yard interception return for a touchdown. Golden needed an IV late in the Washington game.
“I think we’ll get him back this week but he won’t be practicing a lot,” Kish said.
On offense, receiver Dan Buckner, who has 38 catches for a team-high 568 yards, is out because of separated shoulder.