Utah Basketball HC Craig Smith Gives Injury Update On Branden Carlson

SALT LAKE CITY – University of Utah men’s basketball head coach Craig Smith provided an update on center Branden Carlson, who suffered an ankle injury last week.

Late in the second half against Cal on Saturday, Branden Carlson turned his ankle and did not return to the game for Utah.

Coach Smith met with the media on Tuesday and was asked about how Carlson is doing.

“It’s day-to-day,” Smith said. “He didn’t do anything yesterday (Monday) and I don’t anticipate him doing anything today (Tuesday). We’ll see what happens tomorrow (Wednesday). But it’s just a day-to-day deal right now. It’s just hard to know exactly how things are going to go until he goes through the whole treatment. But obviously, he’s been getting treatment. The good news is it’s nothing structural, that we are aware of. He knows how to handle those sorts of things, he’s been through it before.”

Hear from @MarcoJAnthony & @coachcsmith_ from today's Utah Basketball press conference.

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Carlson has been through a lot this season when it comes to injuries. Some may say he can’t catch a break. He missed seven games this season due to being in the health and safety protocols, an appendicitis. Carlson has also played through injuries. He hurt his ankle in the Pac-12 opener on the road against USC on December 1, 2021 and played against Cal four days later.

Carlson leads the Runnin’ Utes in scoring at 13.5 points per game, along with second in rebounding at 6.3 per contest. Utah will need Carlson’s presence on both ends of the court when they face No. 2 Arizona on Thursday, February 24 at 9 p.m. MT on FS1.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.

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