Jul 25, 2018; Hollywood, CA, USA: UCLA Bruins linebacker Josh Woods speaks during Pac-12 Media Day at Hollywood & Highland. Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA coach Chip Kelly announced Sunday that inside linebacker Josh Woods will miss the entire season because of a knee injury.
Woods, who was slated to be a starter this season, sustained the injury during practice on Thursday.
“It’s a big blow,” Kelly said, according to a Los Angeles Daily News report. “Just a great young man, everything you want in a football player. So it’s hard for us to try to replace because we don’t have that much depth at that position. But right now our thoughts are with Josh.”
Woods was slated to start at inside linebacker along with junior Krys Barnes. The Bruins are already thin at the position and Woods’ injury is expected to bring either junior college transfer Tyree Thompson or junior Lokeni Toailoa into the starting lineup.
Thompson, a former Sacramento State player, was with the No. 1 defense during a portion of Sunday’s practice.
Last season, Woods appeared in seven games and recorded 30 tackles, including 23 solo tackles. His season was cut short due to a shoulder injury.
Woods, a senior, has already earned his degree but does have the option of using a redshirt for the 2018 season and continuing to play again in 2019.
