Utah football receives positive injury update ahead of Colorado game

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier is trending toward playing Saturday after his status was in question throughout the week leading up to a Week 9 matchup against Colorado.

Dampier was upgraded to "probable" in the team's third availability report that was released Friday, giving him a 75% of taking the field for the Utes' home bout against the Buffaloes.

Dampier, who had been categorized as "questionable" in the previous two availability reports, is No. 10 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in QBR, completing 68.7% of his pass attempts for 1,375 yards and 13 touchdowns to 4 interceptions. He also leads the sixth-best rushing attack in the FBS with 442 yards on the ground.

With the dynamic signal-caller in the fold, Utah will look to get back on track and rebound from its disappointing loss to BYU last weekend. The Utes won't, however, have 6-foot-5 wide receiver Tobias Merriweather or defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi, both of whom were downgraded to "out" in Friday's availability report.

Utah will also start Saturday's game without standout linebacker Lander Barton, who was ruled out for the first half after his hit on Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier during last week resulted in a targeting call and ejection. Players who are penalized for targeting are suspended for the first half of their next game.

Here's a full look at the third availability report for Saturday's game.

Utah Availability Report

Out — 1st half

LB Lander Barton

Out

WR Tobias Merriweather
DT Dallas Vakalahi

Probable

QB Devon Dampier

Colorado Availability Report

Out

WR Hykeem Williams
CB Makari Vickers
RB Simeon Price
OL Yahya Attia
OL Aki Ogunbiyi

Doubtful

CB RJ Johnson

Questionable

DE Nikhil Webb Walker
S Carter Stoutmire

Utah upgraded QB Devon Dampier to “probable” for Saturday’s game vs. Colorado.

WR Tobias Merriweather & DT Dallas Vakalahi were downgraded to out pic.twitter.com/910JYizvoQ
— Cole Forsman (@CGForsman) October 25, 2025

Initial report categories

Out: Broad term for any reason a student-athlete cannot play in the upcoming conference game (injury, illness, suspension, eligibility or legal issues, or personal matters)
Out (1st half): Suspended for the first half of the upcoming game due to the NCAA targeting rule
Doubtful: Has a 25% chance of playing
Questionable: Has a 50% chance of playing
Probable: Has a 75% chance of playing
Available: Has a 100% chance of playing; must be designated if previously appeared on a previous availability report and is now expected to participate

When do Big 12 teams have to submit availability reports?

Big 12 football programs are required to submit daily availability reports beginning three days before each game. The initial reports are posted on the league's website at 8 p.m. MT.

Game day report categories

Out: Not dressing or available for the game.
Game-time decision: Coaches and/or medical personnel need to evaluate the student-athlete during pre-game warm-ups before deciding whether they can participate in the game.
Available: Will dress for the game and be available to play