BYU RB Martin to return from ankle injury, play vs. No. 3 Utah

BYU star running back LJ Martin, who hasn't played since Oct. 3 due to an ankle injury, will play in the Cougars' showdown against No. 3 Utah, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Saturday.

Martin is officially listed as questionable, per the initial Big 12 availability report released Friday night, but sources said the reigning conference Offensive Player of the Year will give it a go, though he could be limited and the extent of his playing won't be determined until after pregame warmups and through the game.

Martin has been sidelined since suffering the injury in a 17-10 win at TCU on Oct. 3. He was expected to miss four to six weeks, sources told ESPN at the time.

The Cougars have gone 3-1 in his absence, with Sione Moa and Preston Rex mostly filling in during Martin's absence.

A 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior, Martin rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025 while helping the Cougars win 12 games and reach the Big 12 championship game. He had 344 yards rushing and three scores on 7.8 yards per carry this season before the injury.