Utah Utes football: Jordan Wynn says arm is 'fine' at practice

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn has a message for fans who may be concerned about the fact that he didn't throw a single pass in Wednesday morning's practice at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"There's nothing to worry about," he said. " My shoulder is fine. I've been throwing in practice."

The medical staff, though, opted to give his surgically repaired throwing shoulder a little rest before Thursday's scrimmage.

"This thing is a marathon, it's not a sprint," Wynn said. "We don't play Montana State for another three weeks and then we play 10-12 weeks in a row. So there's no point in overusing it right now in camp."

Wynn, who has been limited to a pass count in camp for precautionary reasons, confirmed that he'll participate in the scrimmage and will be throwing the ball. He acknowledged having typical camp soreness in his arm just like teammates Jon Hays and Tyler Shreve, but nothing out of the ordinary.

"Truly only I know how my body feels," Wynn said. "And I'm being honest when I say I'm ready."

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham agreed.

"It's not a cover up or conspiracy," he said. "If we had to play today he could play — very easily."

Wynn's situation is being monitored closely by the medical staff.

"We've got a long time before the season starts and the No. 1 objective is not to have chronic soreness become a factor," Whittingham explained. "So that being the case, we defer to the trainer and whatever he thinks is best throughout the course of the two-a-days. We've instructed him, obviously, (that) the most important thing is that when the season gets here he is completely ready to go."

The medical staff, he added, has a blue print of how things will be handled based on regular feedback from Wynn.

"They've done a great job with him so far and we're just going to let them continue calling the shots until we get to game week," Whittingham said.

SCRIMMAGE SCENARIO: Whittingham said Thursday's situational scrimmage will consist of 80-90 snaps and special teams work. The objective, he said, is to give every player in camp who is ready some reps.

"We'd like to see them on tape in a live, competitive live situation," Whittingham said.

RUNNING BACK BATTLE: There may be a leader in the three-way competition between Harvey Langi, Thretton Palamo and John White.

Whittingham noted that White had a good practice Wednesday morning and is starting to come to the forefront.

"Nothing has been defined yet," Whittingham said. "(But) he's the guy that has shown up the most the last couple of days."

As for Palamo, Whittingham explained that the rugby star is "still very raw from an experience standpoint" and has put the ball on the ground a couple of times. He'd also like to see Palamo hit holes with more violence. Every day is a learning situation, and that is hindering his progress.

SHORT STINT: After injuries to offensive linemen Sam Brenner (elbow) and Isaac Asiata (high ankle sprain), it became a necessity to move defensive tackle Latu Heimuli over to offense.

It didn't last long, however. Heimuli, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound sophomore, tore ligaments in his thumb Wednesday afternoon and will need surgery. He'll be out for a couple of weeks, joining Brenner for an extended stint on the sidelines. Heimuli will remain on offense upon his return.

Receiver Anthony Denham and defensive back Devin Mickles are out with hamstring injuries.

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