A major shock looms for Arizona State as star quarterback Sam Leavitt is now considered 'doubtful' for Saturday's clash with Utah — and this is something nobody saw coming. Initially, Leavitt was expected to take the field; his status was marked as "probable" just a few days ago. But late Thursday night, his availability was suddenly downgraded, casting serious doubt on whether he'll be able to play at all.
This news raised eyebrows because Leavitt has been participating in practice sessions throughout the week and was widely anticipated to start the critical Big 12 matchup at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The twist here is that the exact nature of his injury remains undisclosed, adding to the uncertainty.
Arizona State’s head coach, Kenny Dillingham, shed some light on the situation during a Friday morning radio interview. According to Dillingham, Leavitt suffered an injury during the Week 4 game against Baylor and has been pushing through the pain ever since. While Leavitt was able to play the following game against TCU and even showed signs of improvement, the recent bye week and extra rest haven't fully healed him.
"He's been battling through it all — especially pushing hard during the TCU game," Dillingham explained. "Sam is undeniably the fiercest competitor you’ll ever meet. He hasn't just been attending team rehab; he's also pursuing outside therapies. The bye week helped some, but by Wednesday practice this week, it just wasn’t up to the mark we needed."
Dillingham emphasized that this isn’t just a strategic bluff to confuse Utah about Leavitt’s readiness. "We’re being transparent here. This is an honest evaluation. If Sam does end up playing, it would be nothing short of a mini-miracle," he admitted, underscoring the seriousness of the injury.
What makes this even more concerning is Leavitt’s injury history with Utah. Last season, he endured a brutal game where he broke two ribs and punctured a lung in the first half — details that most fans remember vividly because Utah's defense is famously physical. With that in mind, Dillingham is understandably cautious, prioritizing his quarterback’s long-term health. "At the end of the day, we’ve got to protect people from people," he said, highlighting the intensity and risk in this matchup.
If Leavitt cannot suit up for the game, ASU plans to rely on Jeff Sims, a seasoned fifth-year senior with a journey through Georgia Tech and Nebraska before arriving at Arizona State. Sims hasn’t yet recorded any passing statistics this season but has made some impact as a runner with 22 yards over three carries in two games. His previous seasons tell a story of early promise at Georgia Tech, where he threw for 1,881 yards and 18 touchdowns during his freshman year, but his performance has steadily declined since.
Arizona State will provide further updates on Leavitt’s condition in two scheduled reports — one at 8 p.m. MDT Friday and another 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
Meanwhile, Utah's injury report remains largely unchanged. Defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi, previously "probable," has been removed from the injury list and is expected to play, potentially strengthening their defensive front.
But here’s where it gets controversial: should Arizona State push Leavitt to play despite the risks, or is sidelining him the wiser long-term move? Is this a moment where tough love and patience will pay off, or a missed opportunity to rally under pressure? The debate is sure to stir passions among fans and analysts alike.
What do you think—should ASU prioritize Leavitt’s health over immediate performance, or is every game too important to hold back their star QB? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation!
