Kyle Whittingham announces Cam Rising, Brant Kuithe won't play in 2023

It was unfortunate but almost expected news coming from Kyle Whittingham after Utah bested USC, 34-32, in the Coliseum on Saturday night. Quarterback Cam Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe will be out for the rest of the season the Utah head coach announced, according to Josh Newman.

Both have been dealing with significant injuries stemming from prior to the 2023 season. Neither has played in 2023.

There had been hope one or both might make a return around mid-season, but with eight weeks gone by and the Utes chugging along at 6-1, Whittingham doesn’t see a reason to push either back into action midstream.

And what comes next for Rising and Kuithe — a redshirt year and a return to the Utes in 2024, or potentially declaring for the NFL Draft — remains to be seen.

Whittingham also said that linebacker Lander Barton will be out for the rest of the season. Barton exited the game against USC and was on crutches after sustaining an injury.

Rising has been touch and go all year long

As Utah looked for a victory over the UCLA Bruins in late September, Pete Thamel of ESPN reported Rising won’t be starting for the Utes once again, and it would be Nate Johnson called upon to lead the program once again.

“Utah star quarterback Cam Rising will not start against No. 22 UCLA on Saturday for the No. 11 Utes as he continues his recovery from an ACL tear in the Rose Bowl, multiple sources told ESPN,” Thamel reported. “Nate Johnson, the dynamic back-up who leapfrogged Bryson Barnes on the depth chart, is expected to start his second straight game for the Utes, sources said.

“Rising’s availability against the Bruins is uncertain. He was given clearance to practice without limitation in early September and was given positive reports by coach Kyle Whittingham earlier this week about how he looked in practice. Rising has yet to play this season for Utah.”

While Rising practiced all week, Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham told ESPN Radio’s Ian Fitzsimmons that a decision will be made late in the week on his availability. Rising’s return would’ve be a major boon for the Utes, but it won’t be happening in Week 4.

“He has been a full participant in practice for the last week w/ no contact on any of the QB’s of course. We will know Thursday if he can play,” Whittingham said, earlier in the Week.

Alas, Rising has been sidelined during Utah’s 3-0 start as he finishes rehabbing a torn ACL that he suffered on Jan. 1 in the Rose Bowl. Utah beat Florida, Baylor and Weber State to start the year.

Now, the Utes will hope to find victory once again without Rising, leaning on Johnson to get the job done against UCLA.

Utah got the win against UCLA without Rising, something that will be the reality the rest of the way.