Sam Leavitt injury update: Will Arizona State QB play vs Utah?

Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is doubtful for the team’s upcoming game against Utah.
Coach Kenny Dillingham stated it would be a ‘mini miracle’ if Leavitt plays due to an ongoing, undisclosed injury.
Veteran quarterback Jeff Sims is expected to start in Leavitt’s place.

Arizona State football will be without the services of starting quarterback Sam Leavitt for their Big 12 matchup against Utah on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The No. 23 Sun Devils had a bye during Week 6, but Leavitt completed 27-of-39 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-24 win over TCU. However, Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham provided a grim update on his signal-caller on Friday, Oct. 10.

Leavitt has thrown for eight touchdowns and 1,039 yards this season, while completing 63.1% of his passes, leading Arizona State to a 4-1 start, including a 2-0 mark in Big 12 Conference play.

He led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship and to the College Football Playoff in 2024 in his first year as a starter after transferring from Michigan State.

Here’s the latest on Leavitt’s injury status:

Sam Leavitt injury updates

Dillingham provided a grim update on Leavitt’s status for Saturday’s game. Leavitt was confirmed out.

‘If he plays in the game, it will be a mini miracle,’ Dillingham said in his weekly radio appearance on Friday, Oct. 10. ‘I’ll be absolutely shocked. I think this is the best decision for him and the future season.’

After initially being listed as a ‘probable’ on the Oct. 9 Big 12 availability report on Wednesday, Oct. 8, Leavitt was downgraded to ‘doubtful’ on the Oct. 9 injury report.

Leavitt’s injury is undisclosed and is not known at this time. However, according to Dillingham, the injury has been an ongoing issue.

‘Sam’s been battling something going back to Baylor,’ Dillingham said. ‘He’s been fighting, fought through the TCU game. Sam does everything he possibly can to come back and play football games here. He’s the ultimate competitor.

‘This week, it just didn’t feel as good as we wanted it to, leaving Wednesday’s practice.’

However, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported on Oct. 10 that Leavitt is expected to miss the matchup against the Utes.

In his stead, veteran Jeff Sims is expected to earn the start. Sims started one game for the Sun Devils in 2024, a 24-14 loss to Cincinnati last year. Sims has started 26 career collegiate games at Georgia Tech, Nebraska and Arizona State.

He started his career with Georgia Tech during the 2020 COVID-impacted season.