Utah Utes football: Star lineman back practicing with team

Koa Misi is back. So, too, is his back.

The all-conference defensive end, who has been sidelined since Aug. 19, returned to practice Monday and is expected to play in Utah's game at San Jose State on Saturday.

"I can't wait to play this coming weekend and get out there again," said Misi, who dressed but did not play in the Utes' season-opening win over Utah State last Thursday. He spent the game assisting his teammates and the coaching staff.

The senior, in a pinch, probably could have seen some action.

"They said maybe there would be a chance if they really needed me," said Misi, who is one of Utah's captains. "But pretty much I was just going to sit out and watch."

Initial fears that the injury Misi suffered in practice was more serious than it turned out to be have led to a somewhat cautious approach to his return.

Misi, in fact, didn't participate in every drill in his first practice back.

Even so, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is elated to have him out on the field again.

"He looked good," Whittingham said before expressing hope that Misi will play Saturday. "I'm counting on it. But we'll see how he reacts to today's work."

Misi acknowledged his back felt a little tight after practice. However, he's ready to go.

"Hopefully I can just get as many sacks as I can," Misi said when asked about his goals. "I want to get out there and see what I can do this year compared to last."

As a junior, Misi led Utah's defensive line with 68 tackles, including 8.5 behind the line of scrimmage. He broke up six passes, forced three fumbles and notched three sacks.

The encore almost didn't happen. When Misi injured his back, he feared the worst.

"I thought it was really bad. It hurt super bad. I couldn't even get up and walk. I couldn't breathe." recalled Misi, who added that he received immediate treatment. Then came an MRI, X-rays and a CT scan.

"At first they thought it was a bone fracture because in high school I fractured my back. At first that's what they thought it was," Misi explained. "After the CT scan they came to find it wasn't."

The test revealed it was inflamed muscles that were causing the pains and spasms. Nothing too serious, just something that required treatment.