Arizona star LB Scooby Wright to return vs. UCLA
Update: Sept. 26 - 12 p.m.
Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez confirmed Saturday morning on ESPN's College Gameday that Scooby Wright will return to the lineup against UCLA.
"You will see No. 33 on the field tonight," Rodriguez said.
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It looks like No. 16 Arizona will have its best defensive player in the lineup Saturday night against No. 9 UCLA.
ESPN’s Brett McMurphy reported Friday that star linebacker Scooby Wright is “expected to play” for the Wildcats. Wright, an All-American middle linebacker, injured his left knee in Arizona’s season-opening win over UTSA on Sept. 3.
According to McMurphy, Wright “had his left knee scoped three weeks ago to repair a lateral meniscus tear.” He tested the knee in practice this week and is now reportedly ready to return to action.
Arizona (3-0) was able to beat Nevada and Northern Arizona without Wright in the lineup, but he will be a welcome presence as the Wildcats begin Pac-12 play. Wright, a junior, totaled 163 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and six forced fumbles en route to winning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.
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And while Wright is set to return for the Wildcats, UCLA (3-0) lost two of its best defensive players – linebacker Myles Jack and cornerback Fabian Moreau – to season-ending injuries. However, cornerback Ishmael Adams will return from suspension for the Bruins.
The game kicks off at 8 p.m. from Arizona Stadium.
For more Arizona news, visit GOAZCats.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
