Utah Utes starting center JJ Dielman has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2016 football season, per a Utah press release. He suffered a lower right leg injury.
SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Utes starting center JJ Dielman has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2016 football season, per a Utah press release. He suffered a lower right leg injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s game at Cal.
Dielman started all five of Utah’s games in 2016, and started every game in 2014-15 on the offensive line. He exited Saturday early in the game, later returning to the sideline on a cart, wearing a boot on his right foot, and required the use of crutches.
The injury likely ends Dielman’s college football career, as NCAA rules do not allow a medical hardship waiver if the athlete has participated in more than 30% of the team’s contests, or three games, whichever is greater. The senior was an All-Pac 12 selection in 2015, and redshirted for the Utes in 2012.
Utah also announced that Hiva Lutui’s career is over after sustaining an injury in spring football. Lutui was the projected starting center in spring before the injury, and initially was hoped to be able to return mid-season. The Utes will now look full-time to third-string center Lo Falemaka, who played the majority of the game at Cal on Saturday.
Utah has also lost two other players this season due to injury in defensive end Kylie Fitts and tight end Siale Fakailoatonga.
