Utah running back Devonta’e Henry-Cole will miss the 2018 season with what coach Kyle Whittingham described as a “pre-existing arm injury.”
Henry-Cole can redshirt in 2018, with two years of eligibility remaining. He carried the ball only once in 2016 while using a year’s eligibility, but got 55 carries for 279 yards last season. Henry-Cole was likely to be the Utes' No. 3 running back, behind Zack Moss and Armand Shyne.
In his absence, redshirt freshman TJ Green and freshman Devin Brumfield will compete for carries, and receiver Derrick Vickers will be used as a running back in some packages, offensive coordinator Troy Taylor said.
Other personnel updates:
• Redshirt freshman Nick Ford has earned a first-team spot on the offensive line in the early stages of preseason camp, Whittingham said after Monday’s practice.
Whittingham had not planned to announce any updates to the depth chart until Aug. 27. But when asked about the line, he listed Ford and senior Jordan Agasiva as the first-team guards, with senior Jackson Barton and junior Darrin Paulo at tackle and senior Lo Falemaka at center.
The preseason depth chart had Ford as a backup to Paulo, with junior Johnny Capra as a starting guard. Coaches have cited the versatility of players such as Ford and Capra as a benefit, in their effort to put the best five linemen on the field.
• Bryant Pirtle, a linebacker from Pima Community College in Arizona, is scheduled to practice in pads Tuesday after completing an acclimation period.
Pirtle, who signed with the Utes in February, reported to the team this past weekend after completing academic requirements. He faces a battle for playing time on Utah’s defense that includes Chase Hansen and Cody Barton as starting linebackers and Devin Lloyd and Donavan Thompson as capable backups.
Whittingham has not updated the status of former BYU linebacker Francis Bernard, regarding his potential transfer.
• Whittingham spoke of some degree of separation in the competition between Jack Tuttle and Jason Shelley for the No. 3 quarterback job, but he added, “I won’t say which way.”
The coaches hope to declare a No. 2 QB fairly soon, to give him more practice time behind starter Tyler Huntley.
• The Utes have added Jaxson McBride, a freshman defensive end from Woods Cross High School, to the 110-player camp roster.
