Could Utah quarterback Cam Rising return to the field Friday night after missing Utah’s last three games due to injury?

After dislocating his finger and suffering a laceration in the Utes’ Week 2 win over Baylor, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, he has rehabbed and tried to get back into game action.

After the bye week, that moment may have arrived, as Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reported Thursday afternoon that Rising will “start” for the Utes against Arizona State.

Rising stayed late after Tuesday night’s practice to put in more work, notably wearing nothing on his throwing hand. Utah’s veteran quarterback had worn a glove during warmups in recent weeks, and at an autograph session during the bye week he was seen with a brace or splint over his ring and middle fingers.

On his ESPN 700 coaching show Tuesday, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham expressed some hope that Rising will play this week.

“We’ll see what happens with Cam (Rising) this week and we’re hopeful, and I think it looks encouraging, but I won’t say anything until we actually get to the game,” Whittingham said.

True freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson stepped in during Rising’s absence for the final 3.5 games, helping the Utes to a 3-1 record with wins over Baylor and at Utah State and Oklahoma State before the Utes’ two-week stretch lost their Big 12 home opener against Arizona.

The Corner Canyon High graduate generally performed well — especially given the situation and the fact that the true freshman was splitting first-team reps at some points in practice — but offensive issues, particularly in the red zone, came to a head during Utah’s 23 to -10 loss to Arizona.

Wilson’s final stat line during his three starts was 726 yards and five touchdowns through the air with five interceptions. He added 41 yards rushing (in the NCAA, sacks count toward a quarterback’s rushing yards). Wilson kept the Utes afloat, but when healthy, Rising Andy takes Ludwig’s offense to new levels.

In just under four combined quarters this year against Southern Utah and Baylor, Rising has thrown for 346 yards and seven touchdowns.

Even with a loss, Utah’s goal of winning the Big 12 is still in sight. The Utes can’t afford another loss for the remainder of the game, so Rising’s reported return on Friday comes at a crucial time.