A week that the Utah football team thought would mostly consist of a normal few days of practice before facing San Jose State has been filled with personnel news for the Utes.
Utah lost two players -- senior defensive end Kylie Fitts to an injury and senior running back Joe Williams to retirement -- and welcomed back senior wide receiver Cory Butler-Byrd.
Fitts suffered a foot injury early during the Utes' win over BYU. The injury turned out to be more serious than coach Kyle Whittingham expected. Utah announced that it will apply for a medical redshirt year to grant Fitts an extra year of eligibility for the Utes.
While Fitts might be back next season if his medical redshirt is granted, Williams' career is over, as he has decided to retire due to nagging injuries.
"His body is just worn out," Whittingham said in a school release. "It has nothing to do with playing time or any bad feelings, he's leaving on good terms. I think you noticed in some games that he's just not the same guy. He has some things that are really bothering him physically, so he's going to retire."
Williams had stepped in to fill the void for the Utes at running back after Devontae Booker went down with an injury in November. (Booker is now a rookie with the Denver Broncos.) Through two games this season, Williams had registered 22 carries for 75 yards.
Those good terms between Williams and Utah were further represented on Twitter, where the Utah football account wished Williams well in his future.
We want to thank @JWills_28 for all he's done for our program. We wish him the best of luck! #UtahFootballFamily pic.twitter.com/F1vVr2edt8
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 13, 2016
And despite the loss of two players, the Utes got one back this week. Butler-Byrd returned after being suspended by the Utes following charges of criminal mischief.
"Whether or not he does play this week is to be determined, but he is now eligible to play," Whittingham said of Butler-Byrd in a school release. "He served his two-game suspension, so we feel like he's done everything that has been asked of him. He still has things that he'll adhere to the rest of the way, but he's good to go."