USC vs. UCLA: Bruins Injury Report

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Much like USC, Jim Mora’s UCLA Bruins have battled a ton of casualties this season. The biggest of which is the loss of tackle Simon Goines, which means that the Bruins will start three freshmen on the offensive line for the fifth time season.

Here’s how UCLA’s injuries stack up going into the Coliseum on Saturday:

Probable:

• WR Devin Fuller (hamstring): Perhaps UCLA’s biggest game-breaking talent, Fuller should play for the Bruins. Mora told reporters Sunday that he had ‘a good shot’ to play. Fuller did not dress vs. Arizona State.  The sophomore has 40 receptions for 453 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to one rushing score.

Questionable:

• CB Fabian Moreau (hamstring): A sophomore from Sunrise, Fla., Moreau has started all 11 games for the Bruins and is eighth on the team with 48 tackles. He’ll be a game-time decision after pulling his hamstring last week against ASU. Highly-coveted freshman Priest Willis took over for Moreau last week and will play vs. USC, should Moreau not get the green light.
• RB Jordon James (ankle): The Bruins’ starting running back has only played five games this season after injuring his ankle in October against Utah, and has played just once since then. But he could play on Saturday. Last week, Chris Foster of the LA Times reported that James looked to be ready for the Arizona State game. He suited up but ultimately didn’t play and Mora hasn’t commented on his status, adding to the mystery. That said, he did practice this week and would be a huge boost to the Bruins’ offense. UCLA’s backfield has been a Bermuda Triangle thus far, with injuries to James, Malcom Jones, Damien Thigpen and Steven Manfro forcing freshman linebacker Myles Jack to get reps at running back.
• RB Damien Thigpen (ankle): After missing two games in a row and six games so far this season, Thigpen is a game-time decision on Saturday. The senior was expected to compete for the starting job out of camp, but injuries and the early-season success of Jordon James has limited Thigpen to just 17 carries.
• RB Malcom Jones (concussion): Two weeks back against Washington, Jones suffered a concussion on a hard hit to the head. He was in the midst of his best game of the season, gaining 61 yards on nine carries. He missed last week’s game but has practiced this week, along with James.

Out:

• LT Simon Goines (leg): After missing a handful of games, Goines returned to the Bruins’ starting lineup vs. ASU, only to break his leg. He’s out until next year, and guard Xavier Su’a Filo will play at left tackle in his place.
• WR Grayson Mazzone (knee): Late in last week’s game, Mazzone had an awfully gruesome knee injury. Mazzone, a senior, is done at UCLA following a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus. He had 12 catches for 173 yards this year.
• WR Darren Andrews (knee): Andrews suffered a torn meniscus last week and has been shut down. He caught four passes for 52 yards in 2013.
• WR/RB Steven Manfro (ankle): Manfro tweaked his ankle against Oregon and hasn’t played, nor suited up since. He did return to practice last week and wore pads, but it would be a big surprise if he was able to go on Saturday.