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) don’t feel they can make an accurate, or the best decision, until the swelling goes down,’’ Neuheisel said. “It’s not (a) total (tear), but it’s more than what was in there on the Tuesday MRI. The Tuesday MRI was fine, normal.’’
Meanwhile, x-rays showed Cowan’s 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 Olson’s foot will be determined later on.
“Ben will consult with his folks, and make that decision,’’ Neuheisel said. “I’m 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 Saturday’s spring game at the Rose Bowl.
Cowan and Olson were injured during non-contact drills in Thursday’s practice.
Cowan had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in February, and sat out Tuesday’s practice because of soreness in the knee. The team was off Wednesday, and Cowan aggravated the injury during Thursday’s practice.
“The MRI confirmed a little bit more damage to the ACL. It’s not a complete tear, but it is more damage than what the MRI showed on Tuesday,’’ Neuheisel said. “The likely scenario …I don’t 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.
Wouldn't Pat be able to petition the NCAA for an additional medical redshirt, thereby giving him a 6th season?
Whew, that is as bad as it gets. And what bad luck for these fellows, both of whom seem like real gentlemen.
Football is a mean and violent sport, one that should be banned (one of the reasons it is not played outside the U.S.; that and it is so darn expensive to field teams); but how ironic that these two men suffered injuries in non-contact drills.
You throw B-T into a game last year with no reps and he takes the rap for being a shit head, no wonder he left. You dump on the poor kid he leaves and everybody blames him for a loss, which is total non-sense. You have this kid Crook who was a scout team QB last year as a WALK ON mine you I hear was recruited in top 100 in the class of Sanchez at U Suck and Tuitama at Arizona. Where are both of them now?...Ossar is nothing but a self centered little cry baby who's only worried about getting his way to Sunday which he will never be playing on Sunday. Craft is a daddy's boy who hasn't proved himself unless Dad is to save his ass. Follow his career folks Dad's on the staff everywhere he goes.
Oh well I'm looking like a genius. We are in a world of hurt folks and expect a cellar finish.
Reading between the lines, the OL can't protect the QBs. Even if the injuries occured in non-contact drills, you have to wonder how many previous hits lead to this situation.
BA79, I hope Craft proves you wrong. Forcier and Chrisman have talent... after all McNown played as a frosh. I agree with you the B-T did not deserve the cards he got dealt last year
OTT, regarding your "should be banned" theory, talk to rugby players and fans and they'll tell you that sport is much tougher and violent than American FB, with no pads and few helmets. And rugby is played in many countries.