Bad weekend to be a QB in L.A.

[Metroid]

Both Mark Sanchez(USC) and Drew Olson(UCLA) suffered pretty serious injuries in practice. Sanchez dislocated a kneecap, his status is day to day and Olson broke a bone in his foot and will miss at least 8 weeks.

Linkage on Sanchez

USC's quarterback situation for the season opener and possibly beyond became muddled Friday when starter Mark Sanchez suffered a dislocated left kneecap while warming up for practice.

Sanchez, a fourth-year junior, threw a pass to teammate Clay Matthews, as he does every day before stretching exercises, but then crumpled to the ground.

Team trainers helped Sanchez to the sideline, where he said the kneecap was put back into place. He was later carted from the field and taken for an MRI exam and X-rays.

Sanchez, on crutches and wearing a long brace on his left leg, expressed disappointment but also relief after returning to campus and meeting with team doctors, who informed him there was no ligament, cartilage or bone damage. He will begin rehabilitation Monday and Coach Pete Carroll said the quarterback's status was day-to-day.

Linkage on Olson

Olson is expected to miss at least eight weeks: UCLA senior quarterback Ben Olson has a broken foot and will be sidelined for at least eight weeks.

Olson, whose career has been hampered by injuries, broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during practice Saturday, and X-rays taken Sunday revealed the fracture. Olson, 25, suffered the same injury April 24, the second-to-last day of spring practice.

A decision on whether he will have surgery is expected to be made in a few days.

"It's very frustrating because it seems every year that my progression as a quarterback has been halted by injury," Olson said.

Kevin Craft, a community-college transfer, and redshirt freshman Chris Forcier are the leading candidates to replace Olson as the No. 1 quarterback. Junior Osaar Rasshan also might be in the mix.

Patrick Cowan, who took over when Olson was sidelined by injury last season and was set to be the starter, had surgery after hurting his knee in spring practice and will miss the season. Cowan is the son of ex-Washington Huskies quarterback Tim Cowan.

How does this affect SC and UCLA respectively in the big picture? Obviously UCLA is much worse off without Olson.

[deerayfan072]

UCLA def takes a hit and it won't be pretty in the opener against UT. From what I have read/heard on Sanchez, it is not that bad. I think he will be ready to go in the opener or at the very least against OSU. Problem is that Sanchez could really use this time and the opener to get comfortable throwing the ball with this team. He looked awful at times last season. OSU game just got closer IMO.

[Metroid]

Yeah UCLA is in big trouble for sure. I think this may hurt Sanchez and the Trojans a lot more than people think. Like you said he looked awful at times last season and he could really use this time well getting comfortable with the offense. The teams chemistry is going to be affected if he isn't on the field till the opener or longer.

[VaderFin]

This hurts UCLA alot more then USC. Neuweasel is going to turn around UCLA quickly IMO but not having Olson is going to really slow that down. Mustain might be better then Sanchez anyways, he just has less time in the system.

[Cowboys 4 life]

Who cares about that dirty fella lets focus on Olson. This hurts us bad. We have no depth at QB unless some unspoken hero comes around which is unlikely.