BYU could be getting an important piece of its defense back in the near future.
Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake provided an encouraging update on safety Raider Damuni during his weekly coaches’ show, saying the team expects Damuni to “return soon” from the injury he suffered in Week 1.
Damuni has been sidelined since BYU’s season opener, leaving the Cougars without one of the more experienced players in their secondary. Sitake did not provide a specific timetable for his return, but the latest update appears to be a positive development as BYU moves deeper into Big 12 play.
Getting Damuni back would provide another boost for a BYU team that has opened the 2026 season as one of the top teams in the conference.
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For now, exactly when Damuni will return remains unclear. But Sitake’s comments suggest the Cougars believe his absence won’t extend too much longer.
That’s significant news for a BYU team with Big 12 championship aspirations.
The Cougars have managed without Damuni since Week 1, but adding an experienced safety back into the rotation would give BYU more depth in the secondary as the stakes increase during conference play. Last season, Damuni was a team co-captain and finished the year with six starts, recording 43 tackles, .5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, one interception and two pass break ups.
And after several weeks without a firm return date, “return soon” is certainly the most encouraging update BYU fans have received on Damuni’s status.
