Chuckie Keeton is likely done for the season, 'has not been cleared' to play

Chuckie Keeton's return from a torn ACL is not going as planned this fall, and his senior season seems to be over. The Utah State athletic department sent out a release Wednesday night all but saying Keeton's year is over.

"Chuckie's health is our top priority and he has not been cleared to play by our medical staff," said Utah State head coach Matt Wells in the released statement. "We will continue to monitor his progress throughout the fall, but given his current condition it is unlikely that he will play in any games in the foreseeable future."

This is very unfortunate and also quite a change in events when there was a rumor flying around on Monday from BYU defensive lineman Remington Peck that said Keeton would be out for the year and use a medical redshirt. The school denied that Keeton was taking a redshirt, and Wells said on BYU's Sports Nation that he wanted to hear from doctors before saying if Keeton would be cleared or not.

Keeton reinjured the surgically repaired knee against Wake Forest and left at halftime and also sat out the following game against Arkansas State. He went down on a non-contact play and those are the worst to possibly end a promising career that Keeton had.

There is still the option for Keeton to use a medical redshirt since he has not taken his traditional redshirt at all, but that probably seems unlikely. If a medical redshirt is being discussed a decision does not need to be made, and can not be made, until the season is over. That is still a few months a way and Keeton can work with team doctors and discuss the future of his knee.

Keeton was a player that was adored not just by Utah State fans but national media enjoyed watching No. 16 on the field, too. It all started back in his first career start as a true freshman against the defending national champion Auburn Tigers where he nearly led the Aggies to a monumental upset.

If we have seen the last of Keeton it is a real shame and college football fans will have been cheated of seeing an electrifying quarterback for another 10 games. Keeton may have never earned that signature win in his career, he came close many times, but he sure was fun to watch. Seeing Keeton play one more year would be a great treat for college football fans, but as a senior Keeton needs to look out for his future and one that still could lead a path to play football at the next level.

Going forward for Utah State, this means that sophomore quarterback Darrell Garretson will be the starter for the foreseeable future.