Sources: Utah QB Increasing won’t start vs

• Pete Thamel, ESPNSep 23, 2023, 07:55 AM ET

Utah star quarterback Cam Increasing will not begin against No. 22 UCLA on Saturday for the No. 11 Utes as he continues his healing from an ACL tear in the Rose Bowl, numerous sources told ESPN.Nate Johnson, the vibrant back-up who leapfrogged Bryson Barnes on the depth chart, is anticipated to begin his second straight game for the Utes, sources said.Rising’s accessibility versus the Bruins doubts. He was given clearance to practice without limitation in early September and was given favorable reports by coach Kyle Whittingham earlier this week about how he looked in practice.Rising has yet to play this season for Utah.Johnson led Utah’s return win at Baylor

2 weeks earlier, scoring the game-tying touchdown on a 7-yard fourth-quarter run. That performance caused Whittingham making the switch between the backups, and Johnson started and played well in a 31-7 triumph over Weber State last week.Johnson is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound double risk quarterback with uncommon speed for the position. He likewise tossed for 193 lawns

versus Weber State. On the season, he has three rushing touchdowns and is averaging 4.5 lawns per carry.He has finished 68.8 percent of his passes, as he had significant roles as a change-of-pace quarterback in Utah’s first 2 games before becoming the starter.Rising has led Utah to back-to-back Pac-12 titles, and his status has been one of the biggest questions hanging over the sport this month. Whittingham has actually told media in your area that the medical clearance on Increasing’s return isn’t up to the Utah medical staff.Rising’s ACL was repaired by noted orthopedic cosmetic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, and previously in the month Whittingham informed the Deseret News of ElAttrache:”The ultimate person that says thumbs-up, thumbs-down for playing, and today we do not have that thumbs up.”Increasing is among the most accomplished players in the sport, as he tossed for 3,304 yards and 26 touchdowns last year prior to the injury in the Rose Bowl. With Increasing under center, Utah has actually signed up back-to-back 10-win seasons and Pac-12 titles. Utah is 3-0 without him this year and plays UCLA in a fight of undefeated groups.