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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah has lost another player for the season due to injury.
The latest casualty is running back Armand Shyne, who suffered an apparent knee injury late in the game against Arizona Saturday. Shyne was running with the ball before collapsing to the ground without being touched. Following the game, head coach Kyle Whittingham was not optimistic about Shyne’s chances of returning this season.
“Armand doesn’t look good, and that’s a big issue for us right now,” Whittingham said. “It may be season-ending ... so that’s a big blow for us. We’ll have to see what we can do there.”
Shyne was made the starter for the Arizona game after a strong performance the week before against Cal. He was the first running back this season to break the 100-yard rushing mark. Shyne finished the game Saturday with 101 rushing yards on 19 attempts, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
In Shyne’s absent, Utah will look to get Zack Moss back, who is currently “banged up” with injuries and is a "game-time decision" against Oregon State this week. Behind Moss is Marcel Manalo, who has seen limited minutes this season but is "healthy," according to Whittingham. Jordan Howard, who came in after Shyne went down, also sustained an injury and will not be available for the upcoming game, according to Whittingham.
Whittingham said the team will look at different offensive schemes to mix it up, but is uncertain how Utah will move forward. “We’re looking at all possibilities at running back,” Whittingham said. He added that the staff has considered asking Joe Williams if he would be interested in coming out of retirement to play for Utah again.
Shyne is the fifth player for Utah to be out for the season. Other Utah players out for the season include center Hiva Lutui, defensive end Kylie Fitts, tight end Siale Fakailoatonga, and center J.J. Dielman.
“It’s the worst I can remember,” Whittingham said. “I can’t remember a year where it’s been this many injuries.”
