RB Shakerin won't play vs. Pitt | The Salt Lake Tribune

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Utah backup running back Sausan Shakerin, who has been sidelined with a concussion, will definitely miss the opener against Pitt, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. He reiterated there is no timeline, or even an idea, of when Shakerin might return. "It's indefinite," he said. The 6-foot-2, 227-pound sophomore is Utah's fastest running back with a 4.48-second time in the 40. However, his career has been marked by injuries. He missed three games last year with injuries. He finished the year with 198 yards on 36 carries. His absence will give a chance for walk-on Tauni Vakapuna to get some carries although Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide are expected to do the bulk of the rushing against the Panthers. Whittingham said the two would get about equal carries, unless one of them gets on a roll.The Utes had a good practice Saturday before heading over to Fan Fest. The trend of sending players to 'the pit,' the area where injured players rehab during practice, continued to reverse. Both offensive lineman Ron Tongaonevai and receiver Sean Fitzgerald returned to practice Saturday. Fitzgerald was having a very good fall camp before injuring his hamstring. As for linebacker J.J. Williams (foot), Whittingham said it was a 50-50 chance he could play against Pitt, at best. "He's the one we really need back," he said.