Locker has broken right thumb

One awkward fall by Washington quarterback Jake Locker added another notch of anguish to Washington’s already miserable 2008 season.

Now the Huskies’ chances of avoiding their first 0-5 start in 39 years rest with a redshirt freshman who has never started a college game.

Locker will be out for up to eight weeks after breaking his right thumb in Saturday’s 35-28 loss to Stanford. He was injured throwing a block in front of a 27-yard reverse run by wide receiver Jordan Polk. In replays, the injury appeared to happen when Locker’s hand hit the ground.

Locker had surgery Monday to repair the fracture.

Coach Tyrone Willingham announced Locker’s initial timetable as being sidelined for six to eight weeks, meaning Locker could be back taking snaps before the end of the season.

Six weeks would have Locker available in time for the Huskies’ Nov. 15 game against UCLA. A full eight-week recovery would get Locker back in time for the season finale Dec. 6 at California.

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California running back Jahvid Best will sit out at least one game because of a dislocated left elbow, but the versatile speedster won’t require surgery.

Best was injured in the third quarter of the Golden Bears’ 42-7 victory over Colorado State on Saturday.

The sophomore is third in the nation with 215.5 all-purpose yards per game, and third in the Pac-10 with 105.3 yards rushing.

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Connecticut Coach Randy Edsall says quarterback Tyler Lorenzen is expected to be out six to eight weeks after surgery on his broken right foot.

The No. 24 Huskies lost Lorenzen and starting tight end Steve Brouse in Friday night’s 26-21 win at Louisville.

Edsall says Brouse will miss up to eight weeks after surgery on his broken right leg.