UCLA football injury update

The most significant injury so far in spring camp didn’t happen to a player.

While trying to demonstrate a route on Sunday, UCLA wide receivers coach Eric Yarber went down with what appeared to be a torn tendon in his quad. The 49-year-old lay on the ground for a few minutes before carted off.

“That was scary,” head coach Jim Mora said. “Initially, we went over there and I thought he either dislocated his hip or his knee. My first thought, honestly, was oh no — is he having a heart attack?”

A torn tendon was a relief after that initial scare, and Yarber should be back on the field barking at wideouts before too long.

“He’s got to remember that he’s almost 50,” Mora said. “His body doesn’t work like an 18, 20 year old anymore. I think he learned that rather dramatically today.”

As for the players, linebacker Eric Kendricks was on crutches and a boot after spraining his right ankle on Thursday. Mora termed it as “mild to significant,” and wasn’t sure if the rising junior would return this April.

Right guard Alberto Cid left early in practice after getting hit in the head, while left tackle Simon Goines struggled with some respiratory problems. Fullback Philip Ruhl was checked out for mononucleosis-like symptoms.

Safety Dietrich Riley, already in a red jersey, slightly separated his right shoulder when he got his arm caught during one-on-one drills. He had ice wrapped around his shoulder and his arm in a sling, but the injury didn’t appear to be serious.