Arizona State QB Jaden Rashada Returns to Practice Ahead of Oregon Matchup
Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada could be in line to return to action when the Sun Devils face the No. 6 Oregon Ducks this weekend in Tempe.
According to Noah Furtado of SunDevil Source, the true freshman quarterback was back at practice on Tuesday and took part in team period for the first time in over two months.
The Sun Devils defeated the UCLA Bruins 17-7 on the road in Pasadena last week and have been rolling with redshirt junior quarterback Trenton Bourguet in Rashada's absence. Bourguet has thrown for 1,344 yards and 1 touchdown against 4 interceptions, completing 131 of his 211 passes (62.09%) in 7 games.
When meeting with reporters on Monday, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham was asked about his plans to use Rashada and if he could see any action with just two games left in the regular season.
"Potentially," Dillingham said. "It just depends on if he's ready and healthy to get back in there. I'm not gonna push him back past a timeline until he's 100%. But yes, if he feels 100% he could be in the football game, but I'm not gonna push him until he's at that point."
Perhaps adding to the likelihood that the Ducks will face Rashada is that he's only played two games all year.
"But we definitely could use him because it wouldn't burn his redshirt," Dillingham added.
Rashada has thrown for 403 total yards and 3 touchdowns against 1 interception, completing 34 of his 60 passes in 2 games this season.
Oregon has faced many of the best quarterbacks in the Pac-12 this year in Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and most recently USC's reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.
Tosh Lupoi and Dan Lanning's defense has taken a big step in the right direction in 2023 thanks to the play of returning starters like Brandon Dorlus and Jeffrey Bassa, as well as the additions of new players like linebacker Jestin Jacobs, Khyree Jackson and Teitum Tuioti.