UW’s leading tackler Azeem Victor undergoes surgery for leg fracture
Nov 14, 2016, 12:27 PM | Updated: 12:45 pm
Azeem Victor suffered a fracture in his right leg in Washington's loss to USC on Saturday. (AP)
(AP)
Washington Huskies linebacker Azeem Victor underwent surgery for a fracture in his right leg on Sunday, UW coach Chris Petersen announced Monday.
While Petersen said the injury to the No. 7 Huskies’ leading tackler didn’t turn out to be as drastic as worried when Victor was carted off in Saturday’s loss to USC, it doesn’t appear he has much of a chance of returning before the end of the season. Petersen said he said he didn’t have a timetable for Victor’s return.
“Not a real long-term thing. It’s a bone. Those things will heal quickly,” Petersen said.
The Huskies have two regular-season games left, followed by a possible Pac-12 championship game berth and bowl appearance.
Petersen on UW’s first loss: ‘Things happen’
Victor, a junior, is the second star linebacker the Huskies have lost in recent week. Top pass-rusher Joe Mathis, who had not played since Oct. 8 at Oregon, was ruled out for the season last week after undergoing foot surgery.
On the year, Victor has a team-high 68 tackles (46 solo, 22 assisted), plus three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Victor sent out a message to his teammates via his Twitter account on Monday morning.
No time to feel discouraged fellas. We knew what kind of fight we were preparing for. We've been determined. now let's dominate! #Woof! pic.twitter.com/DoGSMV49vh
— Azeem Victor (@AzeemVictor) November 14, 2016
Washington’s defense struggled against USC after Victor exited the game in the first half. Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold, who was already having luck eluding the UW pass rush without Mathis, suddenly had plenty of room in the middle of the field to find receivers following Victor’s injury. USC went on to hand the Huskies their first loss of the year, 26-13.
