Blechen has surgery, return timetable unknown

Another injury blow to the linebacking group is the last thing Utah needed, but that's exactly what the Utes received earlier in the week.

Senior linebacker Brian Blechen told the Tribune on Thursday night that he had surgery on his knee to clean up the tendonitis that's been ailing him for the duration of fall camp.

His return is unknown, as is IF he will return this season. Blechen has a redshirt, so if he sat for the year he would be able to comeback in 2014. Earlier in the week, Kyle Whittingham said Blechen was "weeks away" from being healthy enough to play.

His absence would be another in a continuing series of huge blows for the Utes. In a 30-26 win over Utah State at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Kenneth Scott went down for the year with what was described as a lower leg injury. The wide receiver recently announced on twitter that he tore a ligament and broke his fibula.

Without Blechen, the linebacking group loses a wealth of experience and institutional program knowledge. It also loses Blechen's playmaking ability and speed.

Tony Jones