UCLA football: Guard Chris Ward leaves practice with ankle injury

UCLA’s bad luck on the offensive line may have struck again, as guard Chris Ward was charted off the field with an ankle injury Tuesday.

“I was told it was probably just a sprain,” Coach Rick Neuheisel said. “I don’t think it’s that serious. We've got our fingers crossed that he will be back shortly.”

Ward was scheduled to undergo X-rays as a precaution, Neuheisel said.

The Bruins' depth on the offensive line is minimal; at least until tackle/guard Jeff Baca finishes rehabilitation from a broken ankle suffered during spring practice. He is expected back in mid-September.

Ward was playing with the second team during a two-minute drill when he rolled the ankle. He was helped off the field for treatment before being removed to the training room.

Ward and Albert Cid had been alternating at guard with the first team. Greg Capella was the other guard on the first team.

Offensive line coach Bob Palcic said he had options on the line if Ward was out for any length of time. That could include moving Sean Sheller from tackle to guard and playing Brett Downey at tackle.

In other injury news, wide receiver Taylor Embree will undergo an MRI on his right calf Tuesday. Embree has been told by doctors that he probably has a strained calf muscle.

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-- Chris Foster