Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels expected to return against Oregon State

Michelle Gardner
The Republic | azcentral.com

Barring a setback, true freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to be back in the starting lineup this week when Arizona State (5-4, 2-4)  travels to Oregon State (4-5, 3-3) for a 5:30 p.m. game Saturday.

Daniels missed last week's game against USC after sustaining a knee injury in the second quarter of the previous game against UCLA. Joey Yellen, another true freshman, got the start and threw for 292 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-26 loss.

Yellen did not practice Tuesday though. He sprained a shoulder when he was sacked on the third play, although he did play through the injury.

Ethan Long the third true freshman quarterback, took some reps on Tuesday.

“He practiced well, went through the entire practice, made all the throws, did all the running, changing directions and all that,” offensive coordinator Rob Likens said of Daniels. “He looked fine.

“I was very, very pleased. I was like, ‘OK, he’s back. He rolled out, he did some bootlegs, he disconnected on some run plays and ran, and I didn’t see him limp, favor, do anything. He looked 100 percent.”

Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Joey Yellen (18) talks with fellow quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) before playing USC on Nov. 9, 2019 in Tempe, Ariz.

Daniels also said he was on track to play but was cautious.

“Yeah, I am confident," Daniels said. "I feel good right now. We’ll just see how the week goes and I’ll sit down with (ASU head coach) Herm (Edwards) this week and we’ll see.”

Reach the reporter at Michelle.Gardner@Gannett.com or 602 444-4783.  Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.

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