UCLA Football Head Coach Jim Mora talked about the series of injuries that are piling up during Spring Practice.
Spring Practice is a time to teach, learn and have players develop into their roles. It is also a time to learn how to handle injuries.
It is quite impossible to go through these four weeks completely unscathed, and for the UCLA Football team, they are having their fair share of players going down.
From the minor bumps and bruises to the more serious afflictions (that could require surgery), Jim Mora had talked to the media to give an update on all the players that have recently been hurt.
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With a five-month cushion before the start of the season, Mora emphasized that with some of these injuries, it is not worth pushing his players to return specifically for the Spring Showcase. “You just don’t want things to linger.”
UCLA Bruins
Unfortunately, severe of these players will be forced to sit out due to the severity of their individual situations. Here is a list of the more serious injuries Mora talked about:
Mique Juarez, LB, Freshman – Out with a concussion. Has been kept out of practice, film sessions and classes.
Breland Brandt, DL, Freshman – Also out with a concussion.
Demetric Felton, WR, Freshman – Shoulder injury during a non-contact situation and will require surgery. Unsure if he will be available for the 2016 season.
Randall Goforth, DB, Senior – Contusion above his knee, does not appear to be too serious.
Josh Woods, LB, Sophomore – Hamstring injury. It is possible he will play in the Spring Showcase, but Mora will not push the recovery.
Tevita Halalilo, OL, Sophomore – Was out all last season after injuring his ankle in the Bruin’s second game against UNLV. He re-injured his ankle this week and will need to have surgery to reconstruct it. Mora was unsure how long he would be out.
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Mora and his staff are definitely taking these injuries seriously and with plenty of time before fall camp in August (and the season opener on September 3), these wounded Bruins will focus on fully recovering rather than participating in the Spring Showcase.