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As good as Jordan Wynn felt throwing the ball Monday, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham wanted to wait until Tuesday to judge how well his quarterback has recovered from spraining his thumb in the season opener.

The verdict was a good one, as Wynn exhibited no soreness in Tuesday's practice during his throws and handoffs.

As a result, it's likely Wynn will be back on the field Saturday when the Utes play San Jose State.

"There is a very, very good chance," Whittingham replied when asked if Wynn was going to play.

The Utes won't publicly name a starter, but if Wynn can play it's expected he will start since Whittingham has said all along that the sophomore remains the No. 1 quarterback even as well as Terrance Cain has played.

However, Wynn's return doesn't mean Cain's and even Griff Robles' contributions are over.

Whittingham said there might be chances for both quarterbacks to have packages in place for them for the remainder of the season.

"But we have to do what is right for the team," Whittingham added.

Wynn said he experienced no difficulties in practice.

"I woke up and it felt fine and I just rolled with it," he said.

The Utes should also have center Zane Taylor (knee) and defensive lineman Derrick Shelby (knee) back on the field Saturday as well.

No style, no problem

Playing San Jose State might give voters a chance to connect some dots in comparing teams with No. 13 Utah since the Spartans lost to No. 1 Alabama 48-3 in the season opener then to No. 11 Wisconsin 27-14 before falling to SUU 16-11 last week.

The last thing that is on Whittingham's mind though is style points.

Asked about the topic, Whittingham pointed out he sat many of his starters when the Utes' 56-14 win at New Mexico was well in hand.

Fifth-ranked Oregon beat New Mexico 72-0 and Texas Tech logged a 52-17 win.

"I don't believe in laying it on someone to better a ranking," he said.

"It goes against my grain. We had our twos in in the fourth quarter and we were running the ball. That's not something I believe in."

Oh the agony

The Spartans' season hasn't been helped by a rash of injuries, the latest being a broken foot to senior safety Duke Ihenacho, who broke his left foot in the Spartans' 16-11 win over SUU.

Ihenacho is a two-time, first-team All-WAC player and arguably the team's best athlete.

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