Sam Leavitt out for ASU vs. Utah, Jeff Sims lined up to start

Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt will not play Saturday as the Sun Devils visit the Utah Utes, ASU confirmed to Arizona Sports’ Damon Allred. The news lines up sixth-year vet Jeff Sims to start in his place.

Leavitt, whose type of injury is not known, was listed as doubtful on Thursday’s Big 12 availability report after he was probable on Wednesday.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham told Bickley & Marotta on Friday morning it would be a “mini miracle” if Leavitt’s undisclosed injury improved enough for the quarterback to play in an expectedly rainy visit to face the Utes.

Dillingham added the team was set to give Leavitt a final evaluation later Friday morning.

“Sam’s been battling something going back to Baylor (on Sept. 20),” Dillingham said, adding that the quarterback had been working hard to rehab. “Bye week was good for him to get kind of back and this week it didn’t feel as good as we wanted to. … If he plays in the game, it’ll be a mini miracle. I’d be shocked.

“At the end of the day, we got to protect people from people.”

Sims previously started at Cincinnati last season, completing 12 of 23 passes for 155 yards and rushing for 53 yards on 14 carries in a 24-14 loss.

Sims has thrown 705 passes in six college seasons for Georgia Tech, Nebraska and ASU.

“The game plan is not changing. We got a lot of confidence in Jeff,” Dillingham said. “This is his opportunity. I’m excited for him. That’s one thing I can say.”

Running back Kyson Brown was questionable on the injury report, and defensive back Montana Warren was upgraded from questionable to probable on Thursday. Defensive end Clayton Smith, tight end Chamon Metayer and kicker Jesus Gomez were starters listed as probable.

In addition to the probable players, there were 11 players designated as out in the injury report including defensive back Xavion Alford. Other notable players listed as out included linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu and defensive lineman Zac Swanson.

More about Arizona State injury report vs. Utah

Jalen Moss did not appear on the injury report. Head coach Kenny Dillingham said on Monday that Moss, who has missed the Sun Devils’ last four games with a foot injury and illness, will play on Saturday.

Utah had seven players listed as out on the injury report, including safety Nate Ritchie and tight end Hunter Andrews.

Catch ASU-Utah on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. MST p.m. on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. It will be televised on ESPN. 

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