UW coach Tyrone Willingham just addressed the media here and revealed that starting tight end Michael Gottlieb has suffered a hamstring injury.

Gottlieb, however, said he doesn't think the injury is serious and anticipates being back in a few days. Gottlieb said he suffered the injury in Monday afternoon's practice and that it initially seemed pretty bad but that it seems to be healing quickly.

With Gottlieb out for a little while, Willingham said fifth-year senior Walt Winter will move up to No. 1 on the depth chart at tight end. After that is a trio of redshirt or true freshmen, including heralded recruit Kavario Middleton. Willingham said Middleton is right in the mix for playing time saying "he hasn't disappointed.''

In other news:

--- Willingham said he expects WR Curtis Shaw, who left the team yesterday for personal reasons, to come back someday. "At some point, yes,'' Willingham said. But when that would be, he said, he doesn't know,

--- Despite the loss of Shaw, Willingham said he thinks the team has enough depth at WR and won't be moving any players to that spot. "There's no reason to make adjustments there,'' he said.

--- Willingham said QB Jake Locker "is still day-to-day'' and wouldn't give a timetable for when he will return. "All of his focus is still rehab,'' Willingham said. When asked about a date for a return, he said "no, there isn't. We'll let him and the doctors determine it.'' Pressed further, Willingham said "we're pleased with where he's at and he's day-to-day.''

--- Willingham echoed the comments of DC Ed Donatell yesterday in saying that he expects a heavy rotation on the defensive line. "I anticipate we will see a lot of guys play there,'' he said. One of those could be Alameda Ta'amu, whom Willingham said hasn't been bothered much by a pre-existing foot injury. "It hasn't been (a problem) since camp,'' Willingham said. "He's a massive man,'' Willingham said. "He brings that to the table and that's a great start.''

--- OL coach Mike Denbrock said that incoming frosh Allen Carroll had some minor off-season knee surgery that has resulted in him not being in optimum shape. It is not expected that any of the true freshmen OLs will play this season.

All for now.