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Given that Utah has just one game remaining in the regular season, coach Kyle Whittingham was somewhat cornered by his own policy of announcing only "season-ending" injuries.

He stayed true to his word, though.

True freshman wideout Britain Covey will not play against Colorado, Whittingham said Monday, saying later that on the other hand, senior safety Tevin Carter "is probably going to be able to play."

Whittingham said he's not sure about Covey's status for a bowl game, possibly dependent on which bowl Utah draws. The value of Covey was thrown into sharp relief during Utah's 17-9 loss to UCLA on Saturday, Covey appearing to injure his ankle and hopping the width of the field before falling between the hash marks and the numbers.

He re-entered the game soon after, but for only a few plays. He spent the second half wearing a boot on the sideline while Utah failed to score on its final five drives.

Covey had been to this year's Utes what Kaelin Clay was to last year's, leading the team in receiving, with 41 catches for 518 yards, and ranking among the nation's best returners (11.7 per punt, taking one for a touchdown and another to USC's doorstep).

The former Timpview quarterback plans to serve an LDS mission after the season.

Boobie Hobbs replaces Covey as Utah's starting punt returner, and Cory Butler-Byrd will resume the No. 1 kickoff returning duties that Covey had taken off his hands. Senior Bubba Poole is expected to start at slot receiver and is also listed as the No. 2 running back.

Hobbled, seemingly, since his arrival at Utah last year, Carter nonetheless has totaled 67 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and two interceptions in 14 games.

His injuries are unspecified. Walk-on sophomore Evan Eggiman has replaced Carter in the previous two games.

Scholarship sophomore Andre Godfrey has appeared in Utah's previous four games on special teams, and junior Jason Thompson had played special teams in Utah's first 10 games, but little has been said about their standing among Utah's safeties.

Whittingham also said later Monday that he wasn't sure about the status of junior cornerback Reginald Porter for Colorado.

Since going 6-0 and being ranked No. 3 in the nation by the AP voters, Utah has been without 10 starters for at least one game.

Tidbits

Saturday's Senior Day will be the final home game for 19 Utah seniors: Center Siaosi Aiono, offensive tackle Andrew Albers, running back Devontae Booker, Carter, cornerback Ahmad Christian, defensive end Jason Fanaika, defensive tackle Viliseni Fauonuku, running back Andrew Fletcher, cornerback Damian Greene, punter Tom Hackett, place-kicker Jon Halliday, linebacker Jared Norris, linebacker Gionni Paul, Poole, wide receiver Kenneth Scott, quarterback Kendal Thompson, punter Chris Van Orden, linebacker Jason Whittingham, and quarterback Travis Wilson. ... Senior tight end Evan Moeai and wide receiver Tim Patrick will not celebrate senior day, as both plan to apply to the NCAA for medical hardship extensions.