Bears prepare for depleted UCLA defense Thursday

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A depleted UCLA defense could provide the antidote for No. 20 Cal’s recent offensive ills.

Less than two weeks after piling up six turnovers at then-No. 5 Utah, the Bears on Thursday will face a UCLA team struggling to replace several key defensive players. In its first three Pac-12 games, UCLA surrendered an average of 41.3 points. The Bruins gave up an eye-popping 310 rushing yards, including 243 to running back Christian McCaffrey, in their 56-35 loss at then-No. 15 Stanford on Thursday.

“They’ve lost some good players,” Cal head coach Sonny Dykes said Monday. “In our business, it’s the next man up. You have to have that philosophy.”

UCLA allowed just 42 points combined over its three nonconference games. But when three all-conference candidates — linebacker Myles Jack (knee), cornerback Fabian Moreau (foot) and defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (knee) — suffered season-ending injuries, the Bruins were forced to move some players to new positions.

Head coach Jim Mora is taking the patient approach, giving his defense time to adjust, instead of overhauling his scheme.

UCLA coach Jim Mora watches from the sideline during the second half against Stanford in an NCAA college football game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, Stanford, Calif. Stanford won 56-35. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) UCLA coach Jim Mora watches from the sideline during the second half against Stanford in an NCAA college football game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, Stanford, Calif. Stanford won 56-35. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) Photo: Tony Avelar / Associated Press Photo: Tony Avelar / Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Bears prepare for depleted UCLA defense Thursday 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“I try not to pay too much attention to it,” Cal tight end Stephen Anderson said. “I treat it the same way as if they were 100 percent healthy.”

Injury report: The bye week afforded players extra time to nurse injuries, and Dykes expects his team to be near full strength against UCLA.

He said defensive tackle Mustafa Jalil, who has been limited the past three games with a knee injury, is “moving better” and could be ready Thursday. Wide receiver Jack Austin (foot), left tackle Brian Farley (ankle) and wide receiver Trevor Davis (ankle) are all probable against the Bruins.

Running back Daniel Lasco looked sharp in practice Sunday, a good sign for a player who has been hobbled by a strained muscle in his hip for more than a month. He was pulled after fumbling on his first carry Oct. 10 at Utah.

“He has to be able to do all the things that running backs do, and I think he’s much closer than he has been,” Dykes said. “It’s just one of those injuries that keeps lingering. ... I hope it gets better because we certainly miss him, and he’s a big part of our offense.”

Reshuffling at receiver: Wide receiver Kenny Lawler has shouldered a heavy load this season, playing almost every snap. The Bears have experimented in practice recently with rotating Bryce Treggs to the outside to give Lawler breaks from time to time.

“We’ll move Bryce around, play him at different spots, just because he’s done it before and he’s got that experience,” Dykes said. “He’ll still play inside some, and we expect him to play outside as well. It’s just a move to give us more depth.”

USC kickoff: Cal’s home game against USC will begin at noon or 12:30 p.m. Oct. 31 on Fox or Fox Sports 1. It will be the Bears’ fifth afternoon start in eight games.

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.