The health woes for Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel keep on coming, not unlike the hits he’s been taking in limited action this season.
After making his first start of the season two weeks ago against Stanford (an illness kept Tuel sidelined for a portion of the season-opener against Idaho State; Tuel would attempt only two passes before breaking his collarbone in that game), Tuel once again suffered a left shoulder injury last Saturday in a loss to Oregon State.
That injury is likely to keep Tuel sidelined against Oregon, and perhaps longer.
“We’re going to have to play this one out a little bit,” coach Paul Wulff said. “The big thing is, we need to get him healthy. He tweaked his shoulder on the third play of the game. Even playing hurt and struggling (physically), he was 11 of 13 (in the first half). We need to get the kid healthy.”
Officially, Tuel is listed as being out indefinitely.
Tuel was regarded as one of the few, if not the only, bright spot for Washington State headed into this season, but 2011 has been terrible to the junior. Tuel has only attempted 45 passes on the season and thrown for just one touchdown. Marshall Lobbestael, who has played understudy to Tuel this year, will be turned to again to lead the Cougars against the Ducks and perhaps for the rest of the season.