While it may prove to be wishful thinking on its part, Utah is holding out hope that one of best pass rushers will be able to suit up in 2014.
Over the weekend it was reported that linebacker Jacoby Hale suffered a torn ACL during practice Thursday. Monday, the school confirmed that Hale injured his knee during practice this past week, although they stopped short of calling it an ACL issue.
Hale has already been ruled out of the remainder of spring practice as well as summer camp. The school did write in a release that Hale “hopes to return sometime during the 2014 season.”
As it stands now, Hale is not expected to return until late September or early October at the earliest.
As a redshirt junior in 2013, Hale was second on the Utes in sacks with 6.5 despite playing just nine games. His 10 tackles for loss were second as well.