Oklahoma State Football: James Washington has hernia, still expected to play

Oklahoma State football’s James Washington will still play in 2017, but he’ll be doing so with a hernia.

James Washington, arguably the best wide receiver in the country, is said to have a sports hernia heading into the 2017 season. He won’t miss any immediate playing time, but could need surgery in the future.

He was dealing with abdominal pain when an ultrasound discovered an old hernia, per Lauren Rew. It was also reported that Washington would miss the first four games of the season, but that report has since been dismissed.

The Oklahoma Sooners sent Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook to the Heisman ceremony a year ago, but many believe the rival Cowboys could replicate that in 2017 with Mason Rudolph and Washington. The dynamic duo linked up 71 times through the air a year ago and totaled over 1,300 receiving yards and 10 scores. He’s not a one-year wonder though; Washington’s been doing this for years.

More: 5 reasons Mason Rudolph is the Big 12’s best QB

He’s made an All-Big 12 team each of the past two seasons, including first team honors from the AP and coaches in 2016. He earned second-team honors the year prior as well.

Don’t fret though, Cowboy fans. Washington was seen at practice on Friday and seemed like his usual, spectacular self. Is he 100 percent, though? Who knows. But is any player? Guys play through minor injuries all the time, but to hear this news weeks before the first game should raise some eyebrows.

Washington is expected to be the leader of Oklahoma State’s receiving corps this season, along with Jalen McKleskey and LSU-transfer Tyron Johnson. And with Rudolph slinging the ball all over the field, Oklahoma State should have one of the best offenses in the country, maybe even good enough to get them to the College Football Playoff.

Washington’s best single-game performance came last year against Pitt when he torched the Panthers for 296 yards on nine catches — he also had a 91-yard touchdown through the air.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

The Oklahoma State Cowboys start the season earlier than most too, kicking things off on Thursday, Aug. 31, against Tulsa. The opener will be played in Stillwater, Okla.