Utah coach Kyle Whittingham f estimated Asiata's injured ankle was about 70 percent. Asiata injured the ankle last week and was only expected to miss a day or two.

"I didn't think it was as bad as it was when we got it diagnosed," Whittingham said. "It has lingered far longer than I thought. He's a tough kid, but still not 100 percent. It's frustrating for him and us. He wants to be out there in the worst way."

Whittingham maintained the injury shouldn't affect Asiata once the season starts since the Utes still have two weeks to go and said the injury would be "irrelevant" when he decides who should get the most playing time at Michigan on Aug. 30.

Asiata, Utah's highly-regarded JC transfer who missed most of fall camp a year ago with a foot sprain, then broke his leg in the season opener, said the ankle is still sore.

"I gotta play through the pain and show the coaches," he said. "I gotta step up."

Asiata said he wanted to play in today's scrimmage, but that it may not be best to do so with his injury. "I want to get healthier for the team," he said.

Up next

Today's scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium will include a lot of situational work, such as 2-minute drills, third-down scenarios and special teams work. Many of the starters and third-string players will get limited reps as coaches focus on deciding the depth chart. Utah will run through about 70 reps.

Injury report

Backup center Tyler Williams (ankle), receiver Ryan Lacy (shoulder) and Aaron Tonga (knee) remain sidelined.