UCLA notes: Receiver Devin Lucien passes concussion tests

» After a brief visit to the hospital on Tuesday night, UCLA receiver Devin Lucien passed his concussion tests on Friday and could return to practice on Monday — albeit in a red non-contact jersey. The redshirt junior had looked like arguably the team’s best receiver through camp before his hitting his head trying to make a catch, matching up with top cornerback Fabian Moreau on most plays.

Linebacker Zach Whitley, who has missed most of training camp in San Bernardino with head injury, returned to practice today for some sideline work. Head coach Jim Mora said the true freshman could potentially be back tonight’s practice, or at least by Monday.

Offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry is out with a “minor” concussion.

Receiver Mossi Johnson took off his red non-contact jersey this morning, while safety Randall Goforth put one on. Both are dealing with minor shoulder injuries.

“As far as comparing injuries to the last two camps, we’re in much better shape than we ever were, so that’s really encouraging,” Mora said.

» The Bruins worked heavily on special teams on Friday, adding a pre-stretch session that lasted about half an hour. Running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu took noticeable command of the unit. Since being hired last December, he has been a vocal presence in practices; at one point this morning, he had the entire team dead silent while he barked instructions. Continue reading “UCLA notes: Receiver Devin Lucien passes concussion tests” »

As injuries pile up, UCLA takes break from Thursday practice

Finally, a breather.

With injuries piling up for UCLA, head coach Jim Mora decided to give his Bruins a break — cutting its Thursday practice short. Instead of hitting the field for two hours at 11:15 a.m., the team will practice for a few minutes, then jump in the pool to cool down.

Though temperatures have been milder at Cal State San Bernardino than during UCLA’s last two training camps, the players looked like they needed the rest. Beat down by nine days of camp, the Bruins left standing were sluggish in Wednesday night’s full-pads practice.

Many didn’t take the field at all. The offensive line is without starting center Jake Brendel (MCL), reserves Scott Quessenberry and Carl Hulick. Guard Alex Redmond (heat exhaustion) and tackle Conor McDermott (shoulder) had missed several practices before returning Wednesday night.

Safety Randall Goforth and cornerback Marcus Rios were also absent. They had suffered a shoulder injury and a headache, respectively, earlier in camp.

Receiver Devin Lucien, briefly hospitalized on Tuesday after hitting his head, showed up to Wednesday night’s practice but did not participate.

UCLA have three more scheduled practices in San Bernardino: 8:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Friday, and 10:45 a.m. Saturday.

Myles Jack calls ejection from UCLA’s Monday practice ’embarrassing’

Myles Jack didn’t realize how just how far his name could carry a story.

On Monday, UCLA head coach Jim Mora tossed his star linebacker from practice at Cal State San Bernardino after the sophomore had an altercation with offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch. Jack slapped Benenoch in the helmet and taunted him, but the incident looked like a run-of-the-mill, mid-training camp tiff.

But given that it involved a player who successfully starred out on both sides of the ball last season, the headlines multiplied quickly.

“The platform that I guess I’m on, I’ve really got to watch out what I say or do,” Jack said Wednesday. Continue reading “Myles Jack calls ejection from UCLA’s Monday practice ’embarrassing’” »