The UCLA football team have a series of injuries plaguing the team which continues to thin out several position groups. There could also be a few seasons ending.
The UCLA football team has been thin in several position groups this season and it looks like they are only getting thinner.
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Even before UCLA took the field against Colorado last Friday it appeared as if the Bruins were losing a few players. Last week, junior transfer Je’Vari Anderson, who has not played all season, sent out a cryptic tweet which plainly stated, “I’ll be back next year god got a plan for me”.
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The crypticity continued as Mique Juarez had also sent out a strange tweet, “Obstacles keep comin left and right. I put my all in this I ain’t never givin up. No matter the risk I’m all for it. Never switchin up”. Bruin Report Online had suggested that Juarez might be medically retiring, though he and Anderson were seen at practice on Monday, albeit in yellow non-contact jerseys.
If that was not enough, a third linebacker opened up about an injury via Instagram. It has been suggested that Jaelan Phillips, who has been playing limited minutes this season, might still be hindered by this off-season injury which occurred when he was hit by a car when riding a scooter. Having three talented linebackers limited to injury just makes the entire situation worse, especially since expected starter Josh Woods was lost for the season during fall camp.
But the linebackers are not the only group that continues to thin out. UCLA’s offensive line might be without a starter as transfer OL Justin Murphy had to leave the Colorado game in the fourth quarter after sustaining an injury to his right knee.
On top of that, the receiving corps might be down a man as Christian Pabico was seen at practice in a yellow, non-contact jersey, though he was apparently going through drills and walk-throughs.
With UCLA starting the season 0-4, losing experienced players does not bode well for their depth. In addition to that, UCLA will continue to play a treacherous schedule. This weekend, they welcome Pac-12 championship contender Washington to the Rose Bowl for a 4:30 p.m. showdown.
With UW rolling and UCLA getting rolled, it seems as if the Bruins might not be getting a win for the foreseeable future.