COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : UCLA : Edwards Still Sore, Does Not Practice

Linebacker Donnie Edwards was not ready to play on Tuesday.

For the first time since suffering a compression fracture of the vertebrae in a Sept. 16 game, Edwards was scheduled to undergo physical contact in practice but put it off for another day because of soreness in the injured area.

Last week, the NCAA suspended Edwards for one game after investigating charges he accepted food from a sports agent. The suspension was in effect for last Saturday’s game against Arizona after UCLA officials informed the NCAA that Edwards had healed from the fracture sufficiently enough to receive a medical clearance to play.

Would the NCAA be upset if it turns out Edwards is still not able to play?

“It would,” UCLA Coach Terry Donahue said.

But Donahue is far from ready to rule Edwards out of this Saturday’s game against the Stanford Cardinal.

“I think he will play,” Donahue said. “I thought he would have been able to play last week. He may have to ease his way back in. He may not go 80 plays. He may have to start with 20 to 25 plays this week and get his confidence back.

“What happened was that they worked on him in rehab, pushing on the vertebrae, and he complained of being sore. I think it undermined his confidence in how far along he is. It shook him up.”

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Offensive lineman Matt Soenksen could be facing a season-ending operation because a piece of bone has broken off in his foot.