Arizona continuing to monitor Tate’s ankle
Khalil Tate’s ankle has been an issue for a month, and as Arizona (2-3, 1-1 Pac-12 Conference) gets set to face Cal (3-1, 0-1) this week, that injury will remain a big topic.
The Arizona quarterback is coming off his third consecutive loss to USC, and while he ran the ball more than he has all season he is still not at the point he was last year. That 38 yards on 13 rushing attempts is by far the best rushing performance Tate has had this year is telling.
At the center of problem, depending on who you listen to, is the ankle. Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin said this week the injury has forced the Wildcats to change the game plan throughout the season, and he also admitted that Tate has been limited in practice.
So far Tate has not missed a game, but the injury is certainly something that continues to get discussed when it comes to the quarterback’s availability.
“We’re never going to put anybody in harm’s way,” Sumlin said.
“If he’s healthy to play and to do the things we think, basically the decisions are made to give us the best chance to win the game. … We’ve had those discussions starting every Monday or Sunday all the way up until game time.”
Tate has done his best to downplay the injury that happened early in Arizona’s second-week loss to Houston. However, there have been numerous points throughout games when he has had a noticeable limp, particularly after he has had to run the ball. When asked about his health after the Wildcats’ 24-20 loss to USC last Saturday, he gave a short answer.
“Healthy enough to play,” he said.
The junior from California has been visibly more irritated with the questions about his health over the last couple weeks, and Sumlin said that can be attributed to frustration.
“I think you could tell by his body language after the game he was disappointed, frustrated,” Sumlin said. “I know everybody focuses on him, but as a team we were inconsistent.”