Provo • BYU quarterback Zach Wilson had a surgical procedure on his right (throwing) hand on Tuesday morning and is expected to return later this season, according to a team spokesperson.
The length of Wilson’s recovery was not disclosed, per BYU policy. However, 960 AM first reported and The Salt Lake Tribune confirmed that that the sophomore quarterback will be sidelined until November, but he is expected to return.
Wilson was injured late in last Saturday’s 28-21 loss to Toledo. It’s still unclear how it happened, but he apparently injured his hand — reportedly his thumb — after throwing an interception in the final minute of the game. The turnover led to the Rockets’ go-ahead touchdown.
Freshman Jaren Hall took over for Wilson at that point, and quickly marched the Cougars down the field. But his pass to Talon Shumway in the end zone fell incomplete as time expired.
Wilson was off to a fast start this season, completing 108 of 175 passes for 1,312 yards and five touchdowns, with four interceptions. The sophomore also had 34 rushing yards and a touchdown on 35 carries.
This isn’t the first injury Wilson has endured.
The sophomore was sidelined for all of spring practice after having surgery on his right shoulder.
Just as he did for spring practice and at Toledo, Hall will replace Wilson when the Cougars visit South Florida on Oct. 12. BYU has a bye this week.
Because Wilson already has five games under his belt this season, he won’t be able to redshirt the remainder of the season. A new NCAA rule allows players to participate in up to four games while still retaining the ability to use a redshirt. Wilson passed that marker when he started at Toledo.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jaren Hall. BYU football photo day in Provo on Wednesday Aug. 7, 2019.
Hall played in two games last year before redshirting the remainder of the season. BYU coach Kalani Sitake says Hall will be ready.
“He’s got tons of confidence,” Sitake said.“There’s some things that we can do with him at quarterback that gives us a little bit of an advantage.”
Hall has contributed in four games, throwing for 58 yards on 4-of-7 passing. The USF game will be his first career start.
Hall is also a legacy at BYU. His father, Kalin Hall, played for the Cougars from 1992-93.
Because of Wilson’s earlier surgery, which allowed Hall to fill in during spring practice, wide receiver Micah Simon is confident in the freshman taking over.
“We’ve got two weeks to prepare, so we’ll be ready,” Simon said. “I know he’ll be ready. We’ll have his back and we’ll be good to go.”
