Arizona RB J.J. Taylor lost for the season with ankle injury

TUCSON, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Running back J.J. Taylor #23 of the Arizona Wildcats rushes the football against the Washington Huskies. (Getty Images)

 

Arizona freshman running back J.J. Taylor suffered a broken ankle during Saturday’s loss to Washington and will miss the rest of the season.

Taylor started in place of Nick Wilson, who was sidelined by an ankle injury against Hawaii last week. In Wilson’s stead against the Rainbow Warriors, Taylor rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown. He had 97 yards and a touchdown against the Huskies before his injury.

“Extremely frustrating,” UA coach Rich Rodriguez said following the Washington loss. “I mean, J.J. Taylor breaks his ankle. This guy’s going to be lights out, is lights out, and will be whenever he comes back.”

The Wildcats’ running back position is woefully thin. Orlando Bradford, who was the co-starter at the beginning of the season, is no longer with the program after being charged with multiple felony counts of domestic violence. Zach Green is the Wildcats’ last healthy scholarship running back. He had six carries for 19 yards. Tyrell Johnson, a receiver, had five carries for 16 yards, but had a key fourth quarter fumble. Johnson played running back in high school and prep school, but hasn’t played the position in his two seasons with the Wildcats.

With Wilson’s status for Saturday’s game at UCLA up in the air, the Wildcats will spend the week auditioning stand-ins to get through the remainder of the season.