Anderson Injured in Drill

Safety Marques Anderson, a senior and top NFL prospect, suffered a concussion Friday and was transported by ambulance to the UCLA Medical Center for observation and evaluation.

A CAT scan was negative and Anderson was released in the afternoon.

The injury occurred during a tackling drill. Anderson told a teammate he felt woozy, walked to the locker room and waited for the ambulance.

Coach Bob Toledo said Anderson told him he initially hurt his head a day earlier when he made several hard hits during an afternoon scrimmage. However, Anderson, who has no history of concussions, did not complain of any symptoms at that time.

“He made quite a few big hits [Thursday],” linebacker Robert Thomas said.

Anderson, a senior, has moved from strong to free safety and is expected to be a defensive leader. He led the nation with seven turnovers last season, led the with 11 tackles for loss and was third with 73 tackles.

Although sophomore Kevin Brant is the only other free safety listed on the depth chart, freshman Matt Ware is regarded as Anderson’s heir apparent. Ware is playing cornerback this season.

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A scrimmage at 4 this afternoon at Drake Stadium is open to the public, but don’t expect to see much of tailback DeShaun Foster, linebackers Ryan Nece, Thomas and other marquee Bruins.

With his team coming off a season marred because of injuries, Toledo is gun-shy and plans to keep his stars out of harm’s way.

“It’s a fine line,” he said. “I look at Nece and other guys and they aren’t ready to play [in a game] yet. I don’t want them to get hurt, but we have to get them ready to play.”

Thomas, who played much of last season with a stress fracture in his foot, understands Toledo’s stance.

“The fight in me wants to be out there, but I see what Coach Toledo is saying,” he said. “The idea is for all of us to be ready and healthy for the season.”

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Strongside linebackers Marcus Reese (hip pointer) and Brandon Chillar (pulled hamstring) sat out practice, but neither injury is serious.

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Ray Cassaday, a redshirt freshman from Valencia High, has moved from middle linebacker to fullback.

The move was made primarily because junior fullback Chris Jackson quit because of a chronic knee injury.

Cassaday is behind Ed Ieremia-Stansbury, Matt Stanley and Pat Norton on the depth chart.