UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen likely out for the season
The UCLA Bruins have lost three games in a row to drop to 3-5 this season, and now quarterback Josh Rosen may officially be out for the season.
Quarterback Josh Rosen has missed the last two games, and adding in the game in which he was injured, against Arizona State, it’s no surprise the UCLA Bruins have lost three games in a row. Rosen has not appeared close to returning from the right shoulder injury he suffered toward the end of that game against Arizona State, but the news became even more dire on Tuesday.
According to Tracy Pierson of Bruin Report, Rosen is likely to miss the rest of the season. The sophomore signal caller is dealing with a nerve issue in his throwing shoulder, so it’s not all that surprising a decision to shut him down appears imminent as UCLA’s season goes downhill.
Rosen is considered a solid NFL prospect at this point, so an eye toward his future is easily expected. Backup quarterback Mike Fafaul threw four interceptions in UCLA’s 52-45 loss to Utah on Oct. 22, but he’s hardly been the No. 1 problem in his two starts with Rosen sidelined and coming off a bye week he should perform better going forward.
Head coach Jim Mora’s job status has become tenuous in recent weeks. Being without Rosen for the final four games will obviously not make his job easier, and the requisite three more wins for a bowl bid looks like an even more daunting uphill climb now.
A Thursday night game on the road against No. 21 Colorado this week would often have potential for an upset, but it’s hard to see that happening for the Bruins without Rosen under center. Home games against Oregon State and USC will come after that, before the regular season finale against Cal on the road.
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Two wins in November (Oregon State? and Cal?) looks like the high water mark for UCLA right now, since the rival Trojans have won four games in a row and no longer look like a push-over. That would obviously not be enough to lock in a trip to a bowl game, and Mora’s firing would probably not be too far behind a five-win campaign.