UCLA Football: Josh Rosen not with team to take on Utah

The UCLA Football Bruins are already in some trouble with a 4-4 record. Now, the team must go to battle with Utah without quarterback Josh Rosen.

The UCLA Football Bruins travel to Utah to face the Utah Utes Friday night and it will be without their leader on offense, quarterback Josh Rosen. During the week Rosen was kept out of practice during the week due to injuries suffered in the Bruins loss to the Washington Huskies.

Tentative reports are saying that Rosen sat out the game because of a concussion and not the finger injury he sustained against Washington. Backup QB Devin Modster is the presumed starter as he played after Rosen left the Washington game.

For Bruins fans, the situation looks all too familiar as Rosen sat out the last six games of last year’s season with a shoulder injury. In a season where the Bruins have again struggled on the field, losing Rosen almost guarantees the season could be lost.

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Last year when Rosen was kept out of the end of the season the Bruins went 1-5 losing thanks to an incompetent offense that showed nothing without Rosen. With a tough game at Utah on Friday and difficult games against Arizona State, USC, and California the Bruins could be looking at an 0-4 finish to their season.

As the leading quarterback in the Pac-12 with passing yards (2,713), passing yards per game (339.1) and total offense (333.9 yards per game) Rosen is having a season that could propel him to a high draft status in the NFL if he left after his junior year.

Playing while inured for struggling team is a dangerous proposition for Rosen’s future NFL status especially when it comes to head injuries. The Bruins should be commended for recognizing that Rosen’s health is more important than turning their season around.

This is especially true in light of the criticism Rosen faced after he left the Washington game. T His week Bruins coach Jim Mora had harsh comments for the criticism Rosen faced saying:

"“I think it’s ludicrous that anyone would question Josh Rosen’s toughness when they don’t know the nature of his injury…”"

Coach Mora’s comments are relevant since his job is practically tied to Rosen’s health, without his star QB to help turn the season around Mora is likely on his way out after another disappointing season. The fact that Mora is keeping Rosen out instead of looking to finish the season on a positive note means the coach is looking out for his players and not himself.

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A concussion does not mean Rosen’s season is over but with a future in the NFL, one wonders if Rosen should try and come back at all. It is sad that with all the promise expected with Rosen’s arrival it seems his legacy will be incomplete as UCLA Football Bruin.