Defensive tackle Geordon Hanohano has been diagnosed with a neck stinger and will miss at least the next few Hawaii football games, coach Norm Chow confirmed on Sunday.

This is the second stinger in Hanohano’s five-year UH career. Hanohano will seek a second medical opinion.

Because Hanohano was injured during UH’s fourth game — a 47-0 loss to Brigham Young this past Friday — he is not eligible to seek a medical hardship if the injury were to keep him from playing the rest of this season. Medical hardships are limited to players who do not play in more than three games.

Hanohano redshirted in 2008, his first UH season. He has appeared in 36 games in his career, including Hawaii’s first three games of 2012, managing 47 tackles and two sacks.

Hanohano was injured in the first quarter against BYU. He was taken off the field on a rolling stretcher. X-rays were negative for any fractures.

Defensive tackle Siasau Matagiese also left in the first quarter with what was initially believed to be a neck injury. X-rays were negative, and he returned to LaVell Edwards Stadium before the game ended. Chow said there is a possibility Matagiese could play in Saturday’s road game against San Diego State.

Chow said defensive end Marcus Malepeai, who filled in at defensive tackle, will miss a "couple of games" after being diagnosed with a strained right knee.

Chow said Hunter Thomson might be ready to help at defensive tackle. He underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee three weeks ago.

"I love that kid," Chow said of Thomson. "He’s the kind of kid we have to have."

Thomson is a graduate of Waialua High. He spent the previous two years on a church mission.

The health situation is not much better on the other side of the line. Three starting offensive linemen — left tackle Blake Muir, right guard Dave Lefotu and right tackle Sean Shigematsu — are recovering from ailments.

If Shigematsu is not available, Mike Milovale can play right tackle. Milovale started at left guard against BYU.

Chauncy Winchester-Makainai is Lefotu’s immediate understudy.

There is a possibility Ben Dew, who has been out with a leg injury, will be cleared to play this week. Dew can play guard and tackle.

"We don’t have a transaction wire," Chow said of the difficulty in replacing injured players.

"I’m not going to let it get to me," said Chow, whose Warriors are 1-3. "What else can we do?

"Nobody is going to feel sorry for us. I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for us. We have to keep working hard. We have to play better. That’s all."