BYU football suffered a tough blow over the weekend when promising wide receiver JoJo Philips went down with an injury during the Cougars’ 27-3 victory over Stanford. The 6-foot-5 sophomore left the game in the first half wearing a sling on his right arm, sparking concern across Cougar Nation.
On Monday, Philips took to social media to reassure fans, announcing that he had undergone surgery and that the procedure was successful. “Out of surgery, everything went great,” he wrote. “Thank you for all the love and support Coug Nation — I’ll be back soon!!!”
Head coach Kalani Sitake addressed the injury following the game and during media availability this week. Sitake confirmed that Philips will be sidelined for a period of time but emphasized that the injury is not expected to be season-ending. “He’s going to be out for a bit, but we’ll get him back,” Sitake said. “Right now our focus is on helping him recover and making sure other guys step up in his absence.”
The loss of Philips is significant for BYU’s offense, which had looked to him as a potential breakout star in 2025. His size and speed made him a reliable target downfield and in the red zone. In his absence, the Cougars will lean on veterans Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston, while younger receivers like Cody Hagen and Tiger Bachmeier are expected to see more opportunities. Tight ends will also play a larger role as the offense adjusts.
Though the setback is disappointing, Sitake remains optimistic about Philips’ future impact this season. For now, Cougar Nation rallies behind their young star with prayers and encouragement, eagerly awaiting his return to the field.
