Quarterback Patrick Cowan took most of his snaps working with UCLA's first-team offense, and he could find himself in that role Saturday when the Bruins host Washington at the Rose Bowl.
Starter Ben Olson, who was battered and sacked five times at Utah, did not practice Tuesday because of a head injury. Bruins coach Karl Dorrell would not term Olson's injury a concussion, but also was uncertain if the quarterback would practice today.
"Ben has a headache, and he's had this headache since Saturday night," Dorrell said. "He feels better, but the doctors wanted him to stay out one more day. He feels good, but we'll see how he does (today). We just want to be smart. We've had a rash of concussions, so we held him out for precautionary reasons."
Olson was requested for an interview, but he was not made available. UCLA does not make quarterbacks available to the media on Wednesdays.
Olson's injury comes as Cowan returned to practice. Cowan pulled his hamstring a month ago and took part in his first full practice while Olson watched while wearing a baseball cap.
If Olson does not play, Cowan appears to be the likely replacement, but Dorrell also said walk-on McLeod Bethel-Thompson could
start.
"We'll have a quarterback in there," Dorrell said. "I couldn't tell you who right now."
No Everett: Bruins senior receiver Marcus Everett, who sprained his right ankle with 3:25 remaining and Utah ahead by 38 points, is expected to play against the Huskies, Dorrell said. X-rays were negative on Everett's ankle, but Dorrell said the ankle was "really tender," but "didn't have a lot of swelling."
It means converted quarterback Osaar Rasshan should get his first meaningful playing time at receiver, Dorrell added.
Price practices: Freshman defensive tackle Brian Price, who could play up to 25 plays against Washington, practiced with the team for the first time since being cleared by the NCAA.
"He has a good burst, and he's quick," UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said of Price.
Making amends: Bruins left guard Shannon Tevaga, who injured his right knee late in the fourth quarter against Utah, walked into practice, and without prompting, turned to a few reporters and said, "I'll be back next week."
Following practice Tevaga apologized to reporters for not speaking after the loss, and said he was willing to talk Tuesday, only to be deemed off-limits to the media. Dorrell instituted a rule this year prohibiting injured players from talking to the media.
In addition to Tevaga and Olson, other players requested by the Daily News but termed off-limits Tuesday were defensive end Nikola Dragovic (concussion), fullback Michael Pitre (knee), Everett and linebacker Aaron Whittington (concussion). Each is a starter.
Also, defensive tackle Brigham Harwell (knee) spoke about tutoring Price during practice, but the media was told if any injury questions were asked, the interview would be terminated.
Meanwhile, the official prognosis is Tevaga could return Oct. 6 against Notre Dame.
Odds and ends: Sophomore cornerback Alterraun Verner worked out with the first-team defense and is expected to start ahead of senior Rodney Van. ... Dragovic, who missed the Utah game with a concussion, did not practice. His availability for Washington is undetermined. ... Freshman defensive back Glenn Love, who is redshirting, is on crutches after undergoing hip surgery. He was not involved in contact during training camp because of shoulder surgery.
Starter Ben Olson, who was battered and sacked five times at Utah, did not practice Tuesday because of a head injury. Bruins coach Karl Dorrell would not term Olson's injury a concussion, but also was uncertain if the quarterback would practice today.
"Ben has a headache, and he's had this headache since Saturday night," Dorrell said. "He feels better, but the doctors wanted him to stay out one more day. He feels good, but we'll see how he does (today). We just want to be smart. We've had a rash of concussions, so we held him out for precautionary reasons."
Olson was requested for an interview, but he was not made available. UCLA does not make quarterbacks available to the media on Wednesdays.
Olson's injury comes as Cowan returned to practice. Cowan pulled his hamstring a month ago and took part in his first full practice while Olson watched while wearing a baseball cap.
If Olson does not play, Cowan appears to be the likely replacement, but Dorrell also said walk-on McLeod Bethel-Thompson could
start.
"We'll have a quarterback in there," Dorrell said. "I couldn't tell you who right now."
No Everett: Bruins senior receiver Marcus Everett, who sprained his right ankle with 3:25 remaining and Utah ahead by 38 points, is expected to play against the Huskies, Dorrell said. X-rays were negative on Everett's ankle, but Dorrell said the ankle was "really tender," but "didn't have a lot of swelling."
It means converted quarterback Osaar Rasshan should get his first meaningful playing time at receiver, Dorrell added.
Price practices: Freshman defensive tackle Brian Price, who could play up to 25 plays against Washington, practiced with the team for the first time since being cleared by the NCAA.
"He has a good burst, and he's quick," UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said of Price.
Making amends: Bruins left guard Shannon Tevaga, who injured his right knee late in the fourth quarter against Utah, walked into practice, and without prompting, turned to a few reporters and said, "I'll be back next week."
Following practice Tevaga apologized to reporters for not speaking after the loss, and said he was willing to talk Tuesday, only to be deemed off-limits to the media. Dorrell instituted a rule this year prohibiting injured players from talking to the media.
In addition to Tevaga and Olson, other players requested by the Daily News but termed off-limits Tuesday were defensive end Nikola Dragovic (concussion), fullback Michael Pitre (knee), Everett and linebacker Aaron Whittington (concussion). Each is a starter.
Also, defensive tackle Brigham Harwell (knee) spoke about tutoring Price during practice, but the media was told if any injury questions were asked, the interview would be terminated.
Meanwhile, the official prognosis is Tevaga could return Oct. 6 against Notre Dame.
Odds and ends: Sophomore cornerback Alterraun Verner worked out with the first-team defense and is expected to start ahead of senior Rodney Van. ... Dragovic, who missed the Utah game with a concussion, did not practice. His availability for Washington is undetermined. ... Freshman defensive back Glenn Love, who is redshirting, is on crutches after undergoing hip surgery. He was not involved in contact during training camp because of shoulder surgery.
