SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah quarterback Travis Wilson has been cleared to play months after a concussion revealed a pre-existing medical condition last season.
Wilson had previously been cleared to participate in spring football practice, but he was limited to non-contact drills as a precautionary measure.
The school says that a CT scan on June 20 showed that the previous trauma to an intracranial artery has remained stable since February. The injury was discovered after Wilson suffered a concussion in a Nov. 9 game against Arizona State.
“I had a feeling nothing would change from the previous scan, so I’ve been working to get back into shape. I feel totally comfortable about returning to football and full contact,” Wilson said in a statement. “I believe I’ve been playing with this condition for awhile and never even knew about it. I’m going to keep playing just the way I’ve always played. I knew something positive would come out of the whole thing.”
The 6-foot-7, 240-pound junior has started 16 games over two seasons. He completed 133 of 237 passes for 1,827 yards, 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions for the Utes last season before his concussion.
In Wilson’s absence, Utah lost two of its final three games to finish 5-7 and fail to reach a bowl game for a second straight season.
The Utes say Wilson will enter fall camp as No. 1 on the depth chart. Practices start Aug. 4.
“Obviously, it’s great news that Travis has been medically cleared to play football again,” coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Travis’ health was our number one concern and we’re relieved for him and his family that he is OK.”
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