Cameron Rising and Brant Kuithe have both been shut down for the season.

Utah will hold the star quarterback and tight end out of its final five games and seek a medical exception for both to be able to return for a seventh season in 2024. Rising is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery in January. Kuithe is trying to make his way back from an ACL injury.

Neither have played this season, and coach Kyle Whittingham announced Saturday night after a 34-32 win over USC that they won’t.

Whittingham was asked about the possibility earlier this week and, though he said they hadn’t yet discussed the idea “at length or in detail,” Utah felt both players would have a “slam dunk” case for a medical waiver.

In Rising’s place, Barnes started his fourth game of the season against USC.

The junior from Milford opened the year as the starter and led Utah to a win over Florida in the opener. He started the 20-13 Baylor win, but was replaced by Nate Johnson in the fourth quarter. Johnson started the next three games for Utah, but offensive struggles continued and, against Oregon State on Sept. 29, Utah went back to Barnes.

Against USC, Barnes was impressive. He completed 14 of his 22 pass attempts for 235 yards and three touchdowns. He added 57 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground, helping to set up a 38-yard game-winning field goal with a clutch 26-yard run in the game’s final minute.

With Kuithe and Yassmin both out, Landen King took over as the top option at tight end against USC. He had one catch for a 6-yard touchdown.

Despite all of the injury concerns — Saturday’s game also saw Utah lose linebacker Lander Barton for the year — the Utes (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) are still alive in their quest for a Pac-12 three-peat. They’ll host the Oregon Ducks next Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT on FOX.