UCLA Practice Injury Notes: Ins and Outs

I already wrote on the main page about Carroll coming back to practice after sitting out with a groin injury. Also Ramirez should be coming back today after sitting out with a hamstring injury. Some more good news for the Bruins. It looks like freshman DB/RB Dalton Hilliard who had a surgery few weeks ago is back at Spaulding and participating in full contact drills:

Hilliard was recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his knee. Though he able to run and made the necessary cuts to play in his defensive back position, the UCLA training staff wasn’t taking any chances.

"It’s a joy for me," Hilliard said of his change in status. "I’m just glad to be back on the field, going 100 percent."

Well looking at the picture below Dalton (19) doesn't look like a typical freshman:

Photo Credit: E. Corpuz

He is freaking huge. It will be great to have him in the defensive backfield adding more depth to a position where we are starting to stock with serious talent.

While Hilliard is coming back from an arthroscopic surgery, looks like Reginald Stokes will be having one to repair torn cartilage in his right knee:

Stokes was injured on Sunday and an MRI exam confirmed the extent of the injury. He hopes to rejoin the team midway through the season.

"He’s a great team guy, wants to be part of this squad and when you have that kind of will and determination, that’s how you build great programs," Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel said.

The option of having microfracture surgery was explored but that would have left him out for the entire season. With the arthroscopic procedure, there is a better chance he’ll return this season.

That's pretty good news considering the circumstances. Good luck to Stokes. Hope everything goes well for him. In his absence it will be Damien Holmes who will have to step up for Coach Howard:

Holmes (6 feet 3, 261 pounds) was already ticketed to back up Korey Bosworth at strong-side defensive end, but is now working behind Datone Jones on the weak side. He could pick up a good portion of the playing time set aside for Stokes, who will be sidelined at least half the season.

"With the way offenses move their tight ends around, that doesn't matter as much now," defensive line coach Todd Howard said. "We've been having Damien play both sides.

"He's another year older, he's bigger and he's had a year of development. I told him he has to be a guy for us."

Sounds good to me.

GO BRUINS.