Eric Kendricks, UCLA’s leading tackler, is recovering well after leaving the Bruins’ 24-10 loss to Stanford Saturday with kidney pain.

The junior linebacker was sent to Stanford Hospital at halftime, but tests showed no sign of major injury. He was released and flew back to Los Angeles with the team for further examination — all tests coming back negative. Head coach Jim Mora said there may be bruising on the kidney or in the surrounding tissue, adding that Kendricks was “much improved.”

“It looks like it’s just a pain management issue right now,” Mora said Sunday. “He was up here today watching the film. Felt much better. That’s encouraging.”

Kendricks led the Pac-12 with 150 tackles in 2012, and finished with an All-Pac-12 honorable mention. His 56 tackles this season rank second in the conference. When he exited the game Saturday, true freshman Isaako Savaiinaea moved into the starting lineup.

The status of two other recently injured Bruins is still unknown. Left tackles Simon Goines (MCL) and Conor McDermott (shoulder) both went down in the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. Goines was on crutches after the game, with a brace over his left knee.