Cowan, Olson are injured during practice

UCLA’s spring practice is ending as the season did in 2007 -- with quarterbacks Patrick Cowan and Ben Olson injured.

Both were carted off the field during practice Thursday, with their status to be determined. It was an eerie reminder of last season, when the Bruins were forced to shuffle quarterbacks because of injuries.

Cowan aggravated an injury to his left knee, which had kept him out of Tuesday’s practice. Olson “felt a pop” in his left foot during drills, according to Coach Rick Neuheisel. Cowan will have an MRI on his knee and Olson an X-ray on his foot today.

“It’s always disconcerting when guys who have been hurt get hurt,” Neuheisel said. “But I remain optimistic.”

Whether Cowan and Olson will participate in Saturday’s scrimmage at the Rose Bowl is unknown.

“We’d love for them to play, it’s a new offense,” Neuheisel said. “If they’re not physically able to, then certainly we have to error on the side of caution. Make sure they’re both healthy in the fall.”

Kevin Craft, a community college transfer, and Chris Forcier, who will be a redshirt freshman, took reps with the first- and second-team offenses at the end of practice. Neither Craft nor Forcier appeared sharp.

Osaar Rasshan, the Bruins’ fifth quarterback, did not get any time during 11-on-11 drills.

Craft and Olson have been competing for the backup role, while Cowan has been the only quarterback to work exclusively with the first team.

Cowan was injured while scrambling during a pass play. Moments later, Olson was hurt while handing off on a running play.

Both spent last season shuttling between the starting lineup and the training room. Cowan started five games, but missed eight games because of a torn hamstring, an injured left knee, an injured right knee, a collapsed lung and concussion. Olson started five games, but missed six others because of a concussion and knee injury.

“You have to try to look on the bright side,” Neuheisel said. “Saturday will be an excellent opportunity to find out under fire about the other three guys. We can see them develop and get some confidence. The seniors have certainly had a lot of playing time. You always got to look on the bright side.”

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Saturday’s scrimmage will start at 7 p.m., though Neuheisel said he and his staff have already made some personnel decisions.

“I think we got an idea where we’re headed,” Neuheisel said. “That doesn’t mean that we know exactly what we’re going to look like in the fall.”

The Rose Bowl parking lots will open at 3 p.m. Parking is $10 for cars and $20 for recreational vehicles. The stadium gates will open at 6:15 p.m.

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While coaches felt the offensive line improved during spring, there remains a concern at center. So the plan is to train guard Nick Ekbatani at the position, where he could back up starter Micah Reed.

The Bruins have struggled with center snaps throughout training camp.

“They want me to be able to play center, guard and tackle,” said Ekbatani, who will be a junior. “I just want to play.”

Ekbatani played center on the scout team as a redshirt last season.

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chris.foster@latimes.com