With Florida Gators coming to town Thursday, Utah's QB situation remains TBD

SALT LAKE CITY — Monday marked 238 days since Cam Rising tore his left ACL in the Rose Bowl, but it's likely going to take a few more days to learn whether or not Utah's sixth-year senior quarterback has recovered enough to play in Thursday night's season opener against Florida.

So went Kyle Whittingham's typical in-season Monday morning press conference as the Utes head coach kept Rising's status close to the vest.

Whittingham did not elaborate on the team's initial depth chart that was released Friday, which included Rising as the starter and Bryson Barnes as the backup. There was no "OR" designation separating the two, but it was obvious that Rising and Barnes slotted in those two spots was not in cement given Rising had been a limited participant for much of fall camp.

Pressed on whether or not Rising, not to mention injured tight end Brant Kuithe, had been cleared, Whittingham again referred to the depth chart.

Kuithe, Utah's top pass-catching option when healthy, has also been rehabbing a torn ACL, but his occurred in late September of last season, more than three months before Rising's injury.

There was no real clarity Monday, but if you're willing to take Whittingham's presser at face value, he did offer a small peak into what is currently going on at the most important position on the field.

"I don't know if we're positive right now," Whittingham said when asked if he knew who the starter would be but just wasn't ready to announce it. "Nope, I can tell you that. I don't know."

Added Rising: "I'm really just excited that it's finally here. I'm waiting for Thursday and just can't come fast enough."

Taking Whittingham at face value also means one is to believe that the battle for QB2 between Barnes and Nate Johnson remains unsettled, in spite of Barnes landing on the two-deep.

In the week-plus since Brandon Rose was lost for an undetermined period of time with what is believed to be an upper-body injury, both Whittingham and offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig have lauded the job Johnson has done with increased reps and opportunity. At one point last week, Whittingham called the two "on equal footing" and in a "dead heat."

If Rising cannot play, regardless of who starts between Barnes and Johnson, the widely-held notion has been that Johnson will see the field Thursday in some fashion. His skillset, particularly his speed and his ability to operate out of a Wildcat formation, essentially demands that Johnson be on the field at some point.

Whittingham did not hide from that notion, but rather embraced it Monday.

"You'll see Nate Johnson in this game, no matter what happens," Whittingham said. "You'll see Nate Johnson in this game.

"Nate is, obviously, a tremendous athlete; we've talked about his speed and what he brings to the table about running the football, whereas Bryson is more in the pocket and would rather operate from there. And then Cam has both. If Cam's available, he's a guy that can make the yards and extend when he needs to with his legs and throw the ball exceptionally well."

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