Drew Says He Expects to Sit Out

UCLA’s offense was missing four key players in practice Tuesday with offensive linemen Mike McCloskey and Ed Blanton along with running back Maurice Drew and tight end Marcedes Lewis not participating because of injuries.

Drew’s ankle sprain is considered the most serious out of the four and the sophomore said that he would probably not play Saturday at Oregon.

“The way it looks right now, I don’t think so,” said Drew, who suffered his injury returning a punt against Washington State last week. “We’ll see because I still have to go through treatment, but it hasn’t really gotten that much better.”

With Drew doubtful, senior Manuel White and freshman Chris Markey will be the Bruins’ main ballcarriers against the Ducks with redshirt freshman Derrick Williams moving up to No. 3 back.

McCloskey, who did not play against Washington State because of post-concussion symptoms, did some running Tuesday and was expected to practice today, according to Coach Karl Dorrell.

Like McCloskey, Blanton is also recovering from post-concussion symptoms. Dorrell said he would be watched closely this week, and the coach hoped that the junior tackle would be available on Saturday.

“With our concussion protocol, you have to have” a certain amount of symptom-free hours, Dorrell said. “[Blanton] has shown signs that he’s getting over that situation already. But it takes clearing time for the doctors to make a final go on when he can come back on the field.”

Lewis, who suffered a bruised tailbone and did not play in the second half on Saturday, rode a stationary bike during practice and will be held out of contact drills today. But Dorrell said that he expected Lewis to play against the Ducks.

“The doctor wanted him to have one more day of rest and not do too much,” Dorrell said about Lewis, who leads UCLA in receiving with 26 catches and six touchdowns. “He’s walking a whole lot better, but he still has a stiff back.”

In other injury news, linebacker Fred Holmes and cornerback Mil’Von James did not practice because of post-concussion symptoms. Safety Chris Horton, who has not been in uniform the last two games because of a foot sprain, could be done for the remainder of the regular season, according to Dorrell.

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Quarterback Drew Olson on UCLA’s needing at least one victory to become bowl eligible with games remaining at Oregon and against USC at the Rose Bowl on Dec. 4: “We have to win this week,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it, we put ourselves in a bad position in losing last week.”

Oregon has won four in a row over UCLA, but the Bruins have won 11 of 13 games played at Autzen Stadium. Saturday’s game is sold out.