Jake Locker Strains Hammy, UW Fans Holding Their Breath

It is still early August, and optimism usually runs high early in training camp. But UW fans have reason to fret over breaking news this afternoon, as super-soph QB Jake Locker has suffered a hamstring injury. Details are still sketchy, as Tyrone Willingham has initially termed the injury as a strain of the left hamstring. The injury occurred during practice Thursday afternoon. An MRI was taken on Locker's hammy Friday morning, but the results are not yet known.

As usual, Willingham was less-than-direct in regards to the injury, offering vague answers to the severity of the injury or a timetable on Locker's return. But to be fair, it is hard to know what to say right now, other than the kid is injured and we will know more once the MRI results are back. But the good news for Husky fans is that while Willingham was a bit reserved in his answers, he did let on that he wasn't all that worried about the injury. Per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times:

"I'm not that concerned about the results [of the MRI]," he said. "I saw the injury when it happened. Obviously everybody responds differently, so his body's response will be a little bit different from another's. But one thing I think and believe is he's a pretty quick healer."

We'll see. Willingham said they would err on the side of caution, as anyone who's dealt with hamstring injuries know how they can nag on a player. But a bum wheel on a gifted runner like Locker, where so much of his effectiveness is based on what he can with his legs, well, you can imagine the angst running through Husky Nation right about now. Locker is one of the most talented QB's in the west. If they have to get a couple of redshirts to carry Locker around campus this fall, then let it be so. But they absolutely cannot risk losing their best hope of a successful 2008 season to a sore hamstring. Stay tuned.