UCLA linebacker Jordan Zumwalt returns to practice

UCLA linebacker Jordan Zumwalt returned to practice in full pads Tuesday morning.

Zumwalt, one of the Bruins’ top defensive players, missed Saturday’s game at Colorado after suffering cuts and bruises in a motor scooter accident. He had a gash over his left eye that required “a lot of stitches,” Coach Jim Mora said.

Zumwalt is now expected to play against California on Saturday. He has 4.5 tackles for a loss and one sack this season.

Damien Holmes, who filled in for Zumwalt, is expected to move back to inside linebacker.

[Updated 10:18 a.m. Oct. 2: Zumwalt said he was able to put on his helmet for the first time, but was limited during practice Tuesday.

“They didn’t clear me for contact,” he said. “I will be.”

Said Coach Jim Mora, “We’re making sure that we don’t do any more damage, re-open the cut.”

Zumwalt needed “about 150 stitches” to close the gash over his eye.

“It was four layers,” he said.

Zumwalt was riding his scooter back to his apartment Sept. 23 when he was struck by a car.

“I was going through a signal and some lady made a left in front of me and I T-boned her car,” Zumwalt said. “I went flying into her car, which is why my face took the brunt of it.

“We’re football players, and we always think we’re tough guys. I’ve been in games where I thought, ‘Wow, that was a hard hit.’ It’s pretty humbling to get hit by a car.” ]

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