Anthony Barr, UCLA‘s All-American linebacker, was led off the field during practice Tuesday with an undisclosed injury.
UCLA Coach Jim Mora, who had not been scheduled to meet with the media, declined to comment.
Barr was injured during an 11-on-11 team drill. The Bruins were in a full contact, but Barr was injured during a running play, in which he appeared to take a hit from an offensive lineman.
A trainer examined Barr on the sideline. Barr was not limping, but he did double over as if he were sick.
The trainer took Barr’s helmet, which is a precaution if a player has concussion-like symptoms. Barr was led out a back gate at Spaulding Field. UCLA officials were having a fundraising event and several donors were at the front entrance.
“We were all trying to figure out what happened,” linebackerJordan Zumwalt said. “We don’t know.”
Losing Barr for any significant time would be a severe blow to the Bruins. He is the cornerstone of a defensive front that is a team strength.
Barr moved from Y-back to linebacker last season and had a breakout season. He finished with 13.5 sacks and was named second-team All-American by the Associated Press.
Barr nearly declared for the NFL draft, and one NFL team scout said he would have been a first-round pick. Barr decided to return to UCLA and is considered a top-10 pick the NFL draft this spring.
“Anthony is a big part of our defense,” Zumwalt said. “We got guys, we got backups, yes. We have a lot of talented backers. But Anthony is a key part of this defense. Hopefully, he’s OK.”
Aaron Wallace moved from the left side linebacker to Barr’s spot on the right with the first team. First-year freshman Myles Jack took Wallace’s spot. Redshirt freshman Kenny Orjioke also played Barr’s spot with the first team.
“I don’t even know what happened,” Wallace said. “Hopefully, he is all right and will be back on the field soon.”
If not, Wallace said, “obviously he is a great player, but we have good people behind him. We’ll just pick it up.”
sports astrology and numerology 