Dominique Austin
ALBUQUERQUE — The Arizona Wildcats expect to get back senior defensive end Dominique Austin for New Mexico Bowl on Saturday.
Austin, who was the team’s best defensive end early in the season, according to coach Rich Rodriguez, has not played since the fifth game of the year — Sept. 29 against Oregon State — because of a foot injury.
Rodriguez, at one point, said Austin would not return this season, but he is listed as probable on the team’s injury report released Thursday afternoon. Austin had 14 tackles, including one for loss, and broke up two passes in the first five games.
Wide receiver Dan Buckner, who battled an ankle injury late in the season and missed the majority of the regular-season-finale against Arizona State, also is considered probable.
The only concern is safety Tra’Mayne Bondurant, who is questionable because of an ankle injury. His backup is true freshman Wayne Capers Jr.
Linebacker Hank Hobson, who suffered a neck injury at UCLA on Nov. 3, is out.