Rogers Back With the Huskies Following Pac-12 Title Game Absence
Tybo Rogers is back practicing with the University of Washington football team, in good graces again after a second absence.
The freshman running back from Bakersfield, California — who's played more snaps this season than any other first-year player — didn't accompany the Huskies to the Pac-12 championship game against Oregon in Las Vegas.
Kalen DeBoer and his Husky coaching staff have said only that Rogers "was unavailable," this after he missed the first two games of the season while serving out a suspension.
"We're working through some things, some challenges he's had off the field," UW offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said on Wednesday, without elaborating.
Grubb added that Rogers had a productive practice that morning as the team continues to prepare for its College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 in New Orleans.
In fall camp, Rogers drew a suspension that kept him out of the Boise State and Tulsa games, and DeBoer stressed that he would go on the record and say that Rogers hadn't broken the law or any NCAA rules, just a team rule.
"He's doing what we're asking him to do," Grubb said. "We have to keep moving forward and keep mentoring him and getting him better. He's had a good attitude through this and there are some things that are a little bit out of his control that he's trying to work through and we're trying to work through with him."
While all of this might sound a little nefarious, if not mysterious, DeBoer is such a stickler for his players doing the right thing, this could be something as simple as Rogers not meeting a financial obligation, though that's not been confirmed.
Since arriving at the UW, DeBoer has chastised several of his players in front of the team for parking in areas not set aside for them.
Rogers, who appeared in 10 consecutive games between the suspension and absence, typically runs as the third-unit tailback behind junior Dillon Johnson and sophomore Will Nixon.
It's unclear what caused his second absence, though unsubstantiated rumors are circulating, but he's been allowed to play again.
"Tybo's done a great job of being here, listening to directions and working through this moment," Grubb said.
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