Utah quarterback Cam Rising left late in the first half of Saturday’s 23-12 win against Baylor due to an injury to his right hand. He did not return for the second half, and backup QB Isaac Wilson took over for the rest of the game.
Rising was injured with 1:55 remaining in the second quarter and went to the locker room for X-rays. The team did not provide immediate details about his injury.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham mentioned after the game that Rising’s injury is “not real serious,” and he might be able to return as soon as next week.
At the time of Rising’s injury, No. 11 Utah was ahead 23-0. Rising was trying to avoid a tackle and was pushed into the water coolers on the Baylor sideline, using his hand to break his fall.
The seventh-year quarterback immediately held his right hand and went to the locker room with a towel covering it.
If Rising cannot play, Whittingham said Wilson will start against Utah State. The true freshman has played the entire second half in both of Utah’s first two games.
Wilson had a tough time against Baylor, completing 4 of 9 passes for 30 yards, but Whittingham believes in his ability to lead the offense.
“He just needs to get more reps,” Whittingham said. “He is improving. He’s clearly our number two right now. That’s where we stand with Isaac.”
Rising and Utah began the season with high expectations. The Utes were picked as the preseason favorite in their first year in the Big 12.
Rising had thrown five touchdowns in less than a half during Utah’s 49-0 win over Southern Utah. Before his injury against Baylor, he was 8 for 14 with 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Injuries have been a recurring issue for Rising at Utah. He missed the entire 2023 season due to a knee injury sustained in the 2023 Rose Bowl and has had three season-ending injuries with the team.
