Sept. 13—Utah’s star quarterback Cameron Rising is unlikely to play Saturday against host Utah State because of an injury to a finger on his throwing hand, The Action Network reported Thursday.
Rising injured a finger on his right hand during Utah’s 23-12 win over Baylor last Saturday. In the second quarter, he was pushed into a refrigerated room on the sideline, where he later had his fingers tied together and returned to the bench in street clothes.
Utah coach Kyle Whittington has not officially ruled out Rising. He described his injuries as “not serious.”
According to reports, Rising is expected to return for Utah’s road game against Oklahoma State University on Sept. 21.
If Risings can’t play, freshman Isaac Wilson (brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson) would start for the No. 12 Utes (2-0).
Wilson was 4 of 9 passing for 30 yards for the Utes against Baylor, who were held scoreless in the second half.
“I have to prepare the same every week whether I’m on the first, second or third team,” Wilson said earlier this week. “Just gotta be ready. I could have been a little better prepared last game. I think I did a good job, but there’s always room to improve.”
This season, Rising has completed 18 of 29 passes for 346 yards and seven touchdowns in less than four quarters.
Rising, 25, missed all of last season after tearing multiple ligaments and meniscal cartilage in his left knee during a Jan. 2, 2023, Rose Bowl loss to Penn State.
On August 29, he played his first game in nearly 20 months against Southern Utah University and threw a career-best five touchdown passes in one half and led the offense to a 49–0 win. Rising wears a heavy brace on his left knee to protect it.
Whittingham said he would back up Wilson if Brandon Routh started against the Aggies. Ross, a third-year sophomore, made his collegiate debut late in the game at Southern Utah. He didn’t attempt a pass and gained 8 yards on one pass.
–Visual-level media
