Arizona Wildcats football: Decision on Criner won't come until later this week

UA coaches won't know until later this week whether wide receiver Juron Criner can play against No. 6 Stanford Saturday at Arizona Stadium.

Coach Mike Stoops said this morning that Criner, who is listed as questionable to play after undergoing an appendectomy last week, "wants to be there" but will abide by the team doctors' decision.

Criner likely won't receive an answer until Thursday or later.

"Nobody understands Juron's body like Juron," Stoops said. "If he's healthy, he'll play. That's as simple as I can make it."

Criner underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy at a Tucson hospital last Monday, and did not travel with the team to Stillwater, Okla., for the Wildcats' 37-14 loss to Oklahoma State.

Criner, who Stoops calls "a unique athlete," would not necessarily have to practice this week to play on Saturday. The Wildcats will host the Cardinal at 7:45 p.m. at Arizona Stadium.

"Juron is very unique in his ability to adapt very quickly," Stoops said. "A lot of it will be (dependent on) how well he feels."