Is Cam Rising playing today? Utah QB's availability for Week 7 explored

Utah Utes quarterback Cam Rising has been sidelined with a finger injury on his throwing hand since early September. However, he is expected to make his return when the No. 16 Utes (4-1) face the Arizona State Sun Devils (4-1) on Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Cam Rising injury update

On Tuesday, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham offered some insight into the status of Cam Rising when he was on the ESPN 700 Coaches show.

"We will see what happens this week with Cam and we're hoping, and I think it's looking encouraging, but I'm not going to say anything until we actually get to the game," Whittingham said.

Although coach Whittingham did not want to promise anything, he sounded optimistic that Rising would return this week. Moreover, insider Brett McMurphy confirmed on Thursday that Rising would return.

What happened to Cam Rising?

Rising suffered a dislocation and laceration to his ring finger during the Utes' 23-12 victory over Baylor on September 7th. He has been rehabbing since then. Rising's injury has forced him to miss Utah's final three games against Utah State, Oklahoma State, and Arizona. The team finished 2-1 in those games, dropping the last one against Arizona 23-10.

After their loss to Arizona, Cam Rising had an open week to recover coming into this game.

Prior to his injury, Rising completed 18 of 29 passes for 346 yards and seven touchdowns. In addition, he carried the ball six times for 46 yards.

Rising has spent his entire college career with the Utah Utes, and this is his third season as the starter. In his career with the Utes, he has completed 474 of 740 passing attempts for 5,918 yards and 53 touchdowns. Additionally, he has rushed for 999 yards on 158 carries and scored 12 times.

Although freshman Isaac Wilson has done a good job in the meantime, getting Rising back should be a big boost for Utah.