Updated QB story

Here is the updated story on UCLA’s quarterbacking situation, with comments from coach Rick Neuheisel.

By Brian Dohn
Staff Writer
An MRI revealed UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and his status for the 2008 season is in jeopardy.
Sources said the likely scenario is Cowan needs surgery to repair the torn ligament in his left knee. If surgery is needed, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said Cowan would miss the 2008 season.
A final determination on whether Cowan, a fifth-year senior, would undergo surgery would be made in the coming weeks, once the swelling subsides. Cowan sat out practice earlier this week because of knee soreness.
(Doctors) dont feel they can make an accurate, or the best decision, until the swelling goes down, Neuheisel said. Its not (a) total (tear), but its more than what was in there on the Tuesday MRI. The Tuesday MRI was fine, normal.
Meanwhile, x-rays showed Cowans backup, Ben Olson, fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot and will be out six to eight weeks. Whether surgery is needed to place in a screw in Olsons foot will be determined later on.
Ben will consult with his folks, and make that decision, Neuheisel said. Im told that he is leaning toward having the surgery.
Either way, Olson should be back in plenty of time for August training camp.
If Cowan missed the season, which could possibly end his UCLA career, Olson would step into the starting role. He outperformed junior college transfer Kevin Craft and red-shirt freshman Chris Forcier in spring practice.
The only quarterback other than Cowan and Olson to throw a pass at UCLA is fifth-stringer Osaar Rasshan, but he was pushed back on the depth chart this spring.
Craft, Forcier and Rasshan will be the quarterbacks for Saturdays spring game at the Rose Bowl.
Cowan and Olson were injured during non-contact drills in Thursdays practice.
Cowan had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in February, and sat out Tuesdays practice because of soreness in the knee. The team was off Wednesday, and Cowan aggravated the injury during Thursdays practice.
The MRI confirmed a little bit more damage to the ACL. Its not a complete tear, but it is more damage than what the MRI showed on Tuesday, Neuheisel said. The likely scenario I dont know what the likely scenario is. The doctors are going to consult with Pat and wait for the swelling to go down before making any other assessment on it.
Olson, who has been ravaged by injuries the last two seasons, broke the bone in his foot when he planted on a throw in practice.