NEW ORLEANS — Washington will attempt to win its first national championship since 1991 against Michigan in Houston next Monday.

It may have to do so without its running back.

Dillon Johnson — who has produced 1,162 rushing yards, 5.2 yards per carry and 16 TDs in 14 games this fall — appeared to aggravate a foot injury on UW’s final offensive play of its 37-31 Sugar Bowl win over Texas.

Johnson recorded 49 rushing yards, 2.3 yards per carry and two touchdowns, and added three catches for 18 yards on Monday night. After being stoned for no gain on third-and-5 from Texas’ 39-yard line with less than a minute left, he was helped off by two trainers without putting pressure on his left foot.

Johnson — a Mississippi State transfer — originally injured his foot during the win at Oregon State on Nov. 18.

“I haven’t even talked to the training staff. I caught Dillon just a second ago,” UW coach Kalen DeBoer said in the postgame press conference. “It’s related, I think, to what he’s been going through the last couple months. Obviously he was down and in some pain, but he’s been in pain the last couple months. So he’s just working through it.

“He’s a tough, tough guy. He’s been so strong and keeps pushing forward. It goes back to two or three weeks left in the season, when really this injury happened.”

UW’s backup running back on Monday was true freshman Tybo Rogers, who contributed five carries for 19 yards. No. 1 Michigan, meanwhile, entered the day ranked fourth in the country in rushing touchdowns allowed (7) and sixth in both rushing defense (87.08 yards allowed per game) and opponent yards per carry (2.93).

But even if Johnson can’t play against the Wolverines, he’ll contribute.

“I saw a video when I was getting interviewed (after the game),” UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said Monday night. “(Johnson) was going off on the cart and pumping his fist … screaming at the crowd. That’s just the person he is. He’s full of excitement. He wants to see everybody else be great.”