Nerve issue bothering Rosen
UCLA Coach Jim Mora specified the issue that has sidelined Josh Rosen, explaining Monday for the first time that the quarterback’s return is contingent upon a nerve in his right shoulder beginning to fire again.
Rosen has not played since the final minutes of the Bruins’ loss to Arizona State on Oct. 8, sitting out games against Washington State and Utah.
It was apparent that Rosen had suffered injuries to his lower body and throwing shoulder against the Sun Devils, but Mora said he did not want to provide details until the shoulder injury was mentioned on the game broadcast Saturday.
“As a head coach, when one of our players has an injury, I’m not going to tell people what it is unless it’s very, very obvious because I don’t want the opponent to target it because I know that’s what they do,” Mora said. “As a coach, if you see an opponent and you know part of his body is hurt a little bit, it’s a vicious, violent game, but you go after it.”
Mora said that Rosen had resumed throwing, but “it just hasn’t gotten to the point where he can cut it loose yet.” It remained unclear whether the 11⁄2 weeks left before UCLA’s next game against Colorado on Nov. 3 at Boulder would provide sufficient time for Rosen to return.
“My understanding is that once it starts going he should be good pretty darn quick,” Mora said of the nerve in Rosen’s shoulder. “So hopefully that’s soon.”
Backup quarterback Mike Fafaul, who set school records with 70 passes and 40 completions on the way to a careerhigh 464 yards passing Saturday during UCLA’s 52-45 loss to Utah, said Rosen told him that his shoulder was feeling better but that he remained frustrated by his inability to play.
“It’s tough for him,” Fafaul said. “He’s a competitor and he wants to be out there with his guys, but he’s been doing a great job supporting his team and being there for [us], especially me on the sidelines with everything, all the plays and the defenses. He’s done a good job of taking the pressure off me, I think, and just help me play relaxed.”
Quick hits
Mora said that UCLA remained committed to running the ball despite calling only 10 running plays against Utah: “I believe that you aren’t going to really win big unless you’re able to run the football.” Mora said that tailback Nate Starks has knee tendinitis “and he’s been struggling” and tailback Soso Jamabo is dealing with shoulder and ankle injuries. Jamabo had one carry against Utah and Starks did not play.