SEATTLE — Jacob Manu hasn’t participated in team periods at the Washington Huskies’ last few practices, nursing what he described Thursday as a “little tweak,” and not something that should keep the star linebacker out much longer.
Likewise, Zaydrius Rainey-Sale spent portions of UW’s practice working out with Manu on the east field as their teammates practiced inside the stadium. The second-year linebacker has been limited recently, too, also with a minor injury that coaches don’t seem too concerned about.
“I think if we played a game Saturday, I think he would be available to go,” linebackers coach Brian Odom said.
Fourth-year linebacker Xe’ree Alexander did participate in some 11-on-11 action at Thursday’s practice, but wore a gold jersey to indicate he was off-limits to contact.
“Just trying to keep me healthy, that’s it,” Alexander said with a smile. “That’s all coach wanted for me today.”
I begin with this accounting not to suggest any of these injuries might linger into the season — "the guys that have missed have been all minor," Odom said — but to draw your attention to the first-team linebacker duo for parts of Thursday’s practice, with the aforementioned three either limited or fully sidelined:
Fifth-year Buddah Al-Uqdah, a Day 1 starter last season before he tore his ACL.
And second-year Donovan Robinson, a 2025 signee whose camp performance has suggested UW could go five deep at the position, if need be.