RB Williams retires, Fitts out with injury, Butler-Byrd back

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Utah starting running back Joe Williams has retired from football after a slow start to the 2016 season.

Coach Kyle Whittingham said the senior has some physical issues that forced him to leave the game. Williams was expected to replace current Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker, but struggled and was benched during the last game.

Whittingham also announced that defensive end Kylie Fitts will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury. Fitts was in his second season as a starter and led the Utes with seven sacks in 2015. The senior will apply for a medical redshirt.

Senior receiver Cory Butler-Byrd has been reinstated. He was suspended amid a misdemeanor criminal mischief investigation stemming from allegations that he damaged a university police patrol car and building in July. Butler-Byrd has pleaded guilty in the case.