UCLA to go deep with top quarterbacks out

UCLA’s football team will end spring practice with bigger questions than when it began, as senior quarterbacks Patrick Cowan and Ben Olson are out with injuries that could affect their 2008 seasons.

Cowan has a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament, as well as damage to the cartilage on the inside of his left knee. A decision on whether he will need surgery will be made once the swelling has subsided.

Olson suffered a broken bone in his right foot and is expected to be out at least six weeks, though Coach Rick Neuheisel said, “It’s a tough place to heal because there is not a lot of blood flow.” Olson will decide whether to have a screw attached to the bone -- the fifth metatarsal, which is one of the five long bones in the foot -- to help the healing process, which Neuheisel said would not alter the recovery time.

It leaves the Bruins without their top two quarterbacks for tonight’s scrimmage at the Rose Bowl.

“These are tough setbacks for two great kids, who certainly have been trying,” Neuheisel said. “They have been bitten with bad luck over the course of their careers, but both have always bounced back.”

They were injured within minutes of each other during Thursday’s practice, though not because of contact. Olson heard something pop after handing off on a running play. Cowan, who sat out Tuesday’s practice after hurting his left knee, re-injured it stepping up in the pocket to throw a pass.

The injuries are just the latest for the two quarterbacks.

Olson, who won quarterback competitions with Cowan the last two years, suffered a knee injury that forced him to sit out the last eight games in 2006. He sat out six games last fall because of a concussion and knee injury.

Cowan sat out eight games last season because of a torn hamstring, an injured left knee, an injured right knee, a collapsed lung and concussion. He could be looking at a long-term recovery if he needs surgery.

Said Neuheisel: “If reconstructive knee surgery is necessary, we’ll be without Pat for the 2008 season. I don’t want to cross that path yet. I always remain optimistic.”

Neuheisel was confident that Cowan and Olson had enough time to heal and prepare before training camp opens in August.

“The learning curve doesn’t get hit too much,” Neuheisel said.

“Both can continue to work and study tape and develop a more comfortable feeling with our offense. . . . With Ben, even if he is out eight weeks, he’ll have most of June and all July to get ready.”

Cowan won the starter role early in spring practice. Olson appeared to be battling with community college transfer Kevin Craft for the backup role.

Now Craft emerges as a possible starter, depending on how quickly the other quarterbacks heal. He and Chris Forcier, a redshirt freshman, are expected to get the majority of the time during tonight’s scrimmage.

Osaar Rasshan, who received little work during scrimmage situations in the last week, will get playing time as well.

“It’s a great opportunity for Kevin Craft to take a step forward and learn the offense and go out and gain confidence,” Neuheisel said. “It’s a chance for Chris Forcier to take a step forward. It’s a great opportunity for Osaar Rasshan to get a chance to play and prove he is a quarterback.”

--

chris.foster@latimes.com