Lander Barton injury update: Latest on Utah LB after season-ending injury vs USC

Utah Utes linebacker Lander Barton laid the foundation for the team's third successive win against the USC Trojans during Week 8 of college football action.

Barton recorded nine tackles in the game before leaving in the third quarter with an apparent leg injury.

There were a lot of anxious Utah Utes fans when Barton reappeared on the sidelines with crutches and a boot to watch the rest of the contest.

So, what is the latest on Landon Barton's injury update?

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Lander Barton injury update

After the game, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham gave an update on his injured stars, which include quarterback Cam Rising, tight end Brant Kuithe and linebacker Lander Barton.

"We’ve been hoping for them each week, but medical staff are the ones who make those calls," Whittingham said. "We’re not going to question that at all. That’s just not how we operate, so there’s a medical decision to shut them down for the rest of the year.

"The safest thing to do for them, gives them the best chance to get back to 100 percent, and so 100 percent on board with that."

Barton being out for the season is unfortunate since he had been having a stellar season before his injury, recording two interceptions, one forced fumble, 4.5 sacks and 46 total tackles.

Levani Damuni, who transferred from the Stanford Cardinal and has been involved in every game this season, will take over the linebacker's job from Lander Barton.

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Utah Utes' injury room

Before the clash against the USC Trojans, Kyle Whittingham had given an update on the status of Cam Rising and Brant Kuithe, fueling hope that they would be back.

"That’s a good question. Again, it’s just a situation where we’re just waiting week after week for a thumbs up," Whittingham said. "Here we are at the midpoint, so I don’t want to say the clock is ticking, but we would love to have either or both of those guys back as soon as possible.

"But again, it’s just a waiting game and waiting for the go-ahead, waiting for the green light."

The Utah Utes have had to contend with several injuries this season, but the news of the season-ending injuries to stars Lander Barton, Cam Rising and Brant Kuithe will be a particularly sore one for fans.

Kyle Whittingham suggested the possibility of Kuithe and Rising returning to Utah next year as medical redshirts since they have not played at all this season:

"It’s pretty much a slam dunk nowadays. ... I shouldn’t say a slam dunk, but 99%, how about that? That decision is not made right now, so that’s the next thing to happen is determine what they (want) because they got a lot of options."

It will be interesting to observe whether the Utah Utes can win a three-peat of Pac-12 championships even with their significant injuries.