Derek Hough ‘DWTS’: Despite Potential Season-Ending Injury, Derek Hough Is Still In It To Win It

Derek Hough cannot compete on Dancing with the Stars because of injuries he sustained to both of his feet, but that doesn’t mean he’s leaving the show completely. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Derek will be choreographing the dances for Nastia Liukin and his stand-in, Sasha Farber. Ahead of tonight’s live show, Derek posted a photo of himself in rehearsals with Nastia and Sasha, making sure that everything looked just right.

Although Derek Hough won’t be dancing with Nastia anymore, the two are still a team, and that is something he stressed when he announced he would be sitting on the sidelines until he is 100 percent ready to dance again. He still believes in Nastia and thinks that she has the ability to win the Season 20 Mirror Ball Trophy. While Derek might not be able to get on the dance floor with his partner, he will certainly be by her side every step from now until the end of her journey on the show.

“Withdrawing was never an option. Dancing With the Stars is not about me or any pro. It’s about the celebrities. It’s their journey. I’m part of the journey, but it’s not my journey. I want Nastia to have the best possible chance of winning. You know, she makes it look easy, but we put the work in. You see some of it, but I think a lot of people overlook the amount of work we put in and how much goes into putting together a routine and teaching and learning it. She’s a very hard worker and very determined, and I definitely feel like she can go all the way. There are other factors in play, but I feel like she can win,” Hough told TV Guide.

According to Dancing with the Stars pro Kym Johnson, there is a chance that Derek will be able to dance again. E! News caught up with Kym at the 22nd Annual Race to Erase MS Gala, and she gave a little bit of hope to fans who really want to see Derek and Nastia dance together again before the season ends.

“He’s at the studio, he’s definitely involved in all of the rehearsals. He’ still choreographing it, sitting down, explaining what he wants… he’s still part of the team, he might be back. I’m not sure!”

Derek Hough has a broken toe and a sprained ankle. He was forced to withdraw from the Rockettes show in New York City, which runs through May.

[Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images]