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Reed, Glicksberg, Ward suspended

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Wharton is a Times staff writer.

A struggling UCLA offensive line got thinner Tuesday when Coach Rick Neuheisel announced that guards Micah Reed and Scott Glicksberg will be suspended for Saturday’s game against Oregon State.

Neuheisel said only that the two seniors -- and junior defensive tackle Jess Ward, also suspended -- are being punished for breaking athletic department rules. Sources close to the program said the players violated the department’s drug use policy.

Reed and Glicksberg, who both have started games this season, were listed at No. 2 on the depth chart at left and right guard, respectively.

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“It hurts the depth,” Neuheisel said. “There’s no question that it does.”

The Bruins, who rank last in the Pacific 10 Conference in rushing at 81.5 yards a game, had been looking for a way to rev up their ground game. Sonny Tevaga and Brandon Bennett will now be the backup guards.

Passing fancy

According to Neuheisel, Kevin Craft solidified his position as starting quarterback over the bye-week practices. The situation remains less certain at Oregon State.

The Beavers practiced Tuesday as if second-stringer Sean Canfield will be starting, but Coach Mike Riley is not ruling out first-stringer Lyle Moevao. Ranked among the leading passers in the Pac-10, Moevao injured his shoulder against California last week.

An MRI exam showed only a strained muscle in the rotator group and no tear.

“He should get better with each day,” Riley said. “What that means about this game, I can’t tell yet.”

The Bruins would prefer to face Canfield, who threw for only 146 yards with two interceptions in a 40-14 UCLA victory at Corvallis last season.

“Last year the game went good for us,” Bruins linebacker Reggie Carter said. “So if he plays, hopefully it’ll go like that again.”

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That hurts

Defensive line coach Todd Howard was running with his players in practice when he pulled up lame. Howard spent the rest of the practice with a protective boot on his left leg.

“I heard it pop,” Howard said. “I think I tore my Achilles’ tendon.”

On a brighter note, offensive tackle Jeff Baca and defensive end Chase Moline, both returning from injuries, practiced Tuesday. Quarterback Ben Olson took live snaps for two periods with the scout team.

Asked how Olson looked, Neuheisel said: “Out of shape.”

Defensive end Chinonso Anyanwu was getting more tests for stomach problems. Wide receiver Nelson Rosario did not practice but said he was recovering from an injured ankle.

Kickoff

UCLA’s game at Washington on Nov. 15 will kick off at 7:15 p.m. and will be televised on Fox Sports Net.

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david.wharton@latimes.com

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