Whittaker will have decision: stay or go?

San Diego State cornerback J.J. Whittaker will have a big decision to make at the end of this season.

Already in his fifth year as an Aztec, the former Oceanside High star has been given another season of eligibility because injuries kept him from playing in his first three years at SDSU. Whether he takes that year or jumps to the NFL, he hasn’t yet decided.

“I love the game. I want to keep playing as long as I can,” Whittaker said earnestly on Tuesday after the Aztecs practiced for the first time in their bye week. “I’m going to play, but I truly don’t know (where). I’m not just saying that. I just don’t know.”

Whittaker, 23, has started every game in the last two seasons and this year is tied for fourth on SDSU’s defense in total tackles with 37, has two pass breakups and an interception. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder had three picks last year.

In a similar position with another year of eligibility is another Oceanside product, linebacker Jake Fely. Fely has yet to play this year because of a neck injury.

“It’s up to them if they want to come back,” Aztecs coach Rocky Long said. “In J.J.’s case, if he’s an NFL prospect, I would say he couldn’t come back. Jake, he’s missed so much time, I think he will come back.”

Whittaker said he would wait until the end of the season to make any decisions. He has finished his undergraduate degree in criminal justice and is working on his master’s, for which he would need one more year to complete.

“Leaving or staying, it’s a blessing,” Whittaker said. “It’s a blessing to put the shoulder pads on because there was a point where I didn’t think I would.”

Kelly hospitalized

Aztecs backup safety and kick returner Kameron Kelly suffered a serious medical issue early on Sunday morning after Saturday’s win over Hawaii.

Kelly left the game with a contusion on his leg. It swelled up during the night and Kelly was in severe pain, and he was sent to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with compartment syndrome, Long said. The syndrome is swelling or bleeding within a muscle area. If left untreated, muscle tissue can die and fatalities have resulted from the condition.

Long said Kelly underwent surgery and will be in the hospital 10 days while recovering. The freshman, who averaged 26.2 yards on five kick returns and played backup at safety, likely is out for the rest of the season, with the down time estimated at five to six weeks.

“It’s a serious deal,” Long said. “If it’s not caught in time, some real bad things can happen.”

Long said SDSU will consider appealing for this to be a redshirt season for Kelly.

Other injuries

Long said fullback Adam Roberts suffered a concussion against Hawaii, but is expected to be ready for the Nevada game.

It’s sounding more like senior receiver Ezell Ruffin, who broke his collarbone in the first game, will be ready to return against the Wolf Pack. Long said the trainers are being more cautious with Fely’s neck injury. Fely will test himself on lighter tackling drills this week before a decision is made on full participation in practice next week.

Quarterback Quinn Kaehler (shoulder) will do “light’ work in practice this week and may not throw at all, Long said, before going full speed next week.

Good or bad bye?

Weighing the pros and cons of drawing a bye after winning two straight games to reach the top of the Mountain West’s West Division at 3-1, Long said, “I don’t know about the players, but I’m personally a little disappointed that we have a bye this week. We’ve been playing good football and you kind of like to keep the momentum going if you have the opportunity.

“Some of the guys who are beat up will get healthy. … There are some veteran guys who could be back for the game. There are positives to it, but I wish we could keep going.”