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Utah coach Kyle Whittingham optimistic about health of top receiver ahead of Washington State game

Utah wide receiver Darren Carrington II (9) should be available to play for the Utes on Saturday against Washington State, coach Kyle Whittingham said Tuesday. (Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

Darren Carrington left Utah’s game against UCLA with an injury, but Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is optimistic about the receiver’s chances of playing against No. 19 Washington State this Saturday.

“Sure, we hope so,” Whittingham said Tuesday during the Pac-12 coaches teleconference. “That would be ideal.”

Carrington had receiving 51 yards and a touchdown catch against Bruins, but didn’t return after halftime due to an undisclosed injury.

Carrington, a transfer from Oregon, has been one of the top pass-catchers in the Pac-12 this season and currently leads the league with 92.2 yards per game. He ranks second in receptions per game (6.4) and is one of only two Utes who’ve caught multiple touchdowns this season. Carrington leads Utah with six.

Utah safety Chase Hansen also left the UCLA game with an unspecified injury and didn’t return. The Utes lost another safety, Marquise Blair, in the game with a lower leg injury. Blair isn’t expected to return this season.

Whittingham said Monday that junior offensive guard Jordan Agasiva could return for Saturday’s game against WSU. Agasiva has been absent from the last two games with a lower-body injury.