Cameron Rising will not start against No. 22 UCLA on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

That puts second-year man Nate Johnson in line to start his second career game for the 11th-ranked Utah Utes. According to Thamel, it’s unclear if Rising will be able to play in the game at all.

Rising has been practicing for Utah, and coach Kyle Whittingham said earlier this week he looked good throughout the week, but the senior has yet to play in a game. Utah has opened 3-0 without him, but it was hoping to have him back for the start of Pac-12 play.

“It’s been challenging,” Whittingham said. “We’ve been able to piece it together these first three weeks and find combinations that work and make adjustments, modifications here and there. But it would sure be nice to get some of these guys back.”

After Saturday’s 31-7 win over Weber State, Whittingham said he can’t remember another time when he’s dealt with this kind of injury misfortune on a team. He counts close to 20 players who he believes can help Utah win football games who are currently battling some kind of injury.

Last season, Rising ranked ninth nationally in Total QBR and expected points added. Utah was 23rd nationally in yards per play.

This season, without Rising to steer the ship, Utah is way down in 93rd, averaging 5.4 yards a play.

The passing game has struggled in his absence. Since Bryson Barnes hit a 70-yard pass to Money Parks on the first play of the season, Barnes and Johnson have combined to miss all 10 of their pass attempts beyond 20 yards downfield.

After the Baylor win, Utah moved to Johnson. A week ago, he threw for 193 yards and one touchdown while adding another 71 yards rushing and a score.

UCLA ranks fifth nationally in yards per play allowed.

Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT on FOX.