UCLA defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa could sit out the 2013 season after surgery on his right hip Tuesday.

UCLA Coach Jim Mora feared he had lost the sophomore defensive lineman for the season, but doctors found that the damage wasn’t as extensive as previously believed. Owamagbe had a frayed rotator cuff in his hip, and Mora was unsure of the timetable for his return.

Odighizuwa, who will be a junior this fall, underwent surgery on his left hip during the off-season and did not participate in spring practice. He started experiencing pain in his right hip before spring practice began.

The loss would be significant, as Odighizuwa was ticketed to replace Datone Jones at defensive end. Jones was a first-round draft by the Green Bay Packers last month. Odighizuwa saw considerable time last season, finishing with 44 tackles. He had 3.5 sacks and recovered two fumbles.


Odighizuwa’s injury hurts a defensive front that has struggled to remain healthy since the season ended.

Nose tackle Ellis McCarthy sat out spring while recovering from minor knee surgery. Defense end Sam Tai was also limited, as he was still recovering from a knee surgery that forced him to miss the 2012 season. Nose tackle Brandon Tuliaupupu will miss the 2013 season after suffering a knee injury during spring practice.

Defensive end Kylie Fitts, who enrolled this spring, and nose tackle Kenneth Clark, who arrives this summer, are expected to make contributions as freshmen.

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