Arizona’s offense may get two key players back against San Diego State.
UA head coach Jedd Fisch said Monday that left tackle Jordan Morgan (leg) and wide receiver Jamarye Joiner (foot) may debut this week after missing the opener vs. BYU.
Morgan’s return would bolster an offensive line that struggled to pass protect against the Cougars. The sophomore’s absence forced left guard Donovan Laie to move to left tackle and Josh Baker to be inserted into the starting lineup at left guard. Baker was Arizona’s lowest-graded linemen, according to Pro Football Focus. He received a 27.9 pass blocking grade after allowing a sack and five hurries.
“We’ll see how he practices, and if he can practice,” Fisch said of Morgan. “Right now he wasn’t healthy enough to play the amount of snaps we’re going to play him.”
Joiner, meanwhile, is ahead of schedule in his recovery from offseason surgery that repaired a Jones fracture in his foot. He said in August that he expected to miss the entire non-conference season. Joiner went through warmups against BYU, appearing close to game action.
Fisch said Joiner hasn’t been cleared to play yet, but is “doing great.”
“The good part was that he did everything he was asked to do, and he was prepared,” Fisch said. “Literally showed up to the training room every single day, and the surgery went extremely well in the springtime and he was able get back. We’ll see what it looks like in practice, but I do believe he’s going to practice this week.”
Arizona should otherwise be healthy against the Aztecs.
“We should have everybody that started, start, and then hopefully both Jamarye Joiner and Jordan Morgan will be back for this game,” Fisch said.