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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah starting safety Chase Hansen is out indefinitely, according to head coach Kyle Whittingham.
The university announced Monday morning that the junior is "unavailable to practice until further notice." Whittingham said Hansen was out due to a pre-existing injury from summer; however, he would not specify the injury.
Hansen is expected to be out for the remainder of fall camp, but Whittingham said he "hopes to have him back before the season starts." He added that Hansen has "healed up" quickly in the past, referencing a season-ending injury Hansen suffered in 2015.
In Hansen's absence, junior college transfer Corrion Ballard will shift over to strong safety, with junior college transfer Marquise Blair and Philip Afia filling in at free safety, defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley said.
How does the team replace Hansen? "How we've always done it: Somebody steps up," Scalley added. "Right now it's Marquise Blair and Philip Afia."
Hansen started in all 13 games for the Utes in 2016 where he led the team with 90 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. Hansen was expected to be a leader in the secondary and the sole returner from last season's group.
