Reports: Nerve issue will likely sideline Josh Rosen for rest of year

Josh Rosen began the season as a Heisman favorite and was being talked about as the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL draft were the sophomore eligible. Two months later, the UCLA quarterback will end the season on the sidelines holding a clipboard and wearing a baseball cap.

Probably.

While there has been no official confirmation from the school, BruinsReportOnline.com is reporting that, citing multiple sources, Rosen is more than likely out for the remainder of the year. Subsequent to that, FOXSports.com‘s Bruce Feldman tweeted that Rosen’s expected to be out for the rest of the season.

#UCLA QB Josh Rosen is expected to be out the rest of this season (shoulder), source tells @FoxSports. 1st reported by Bruin Report Online

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 1, 2016

The reports don’t come as much of a surprise as Rosen has been dealing with a lingering nerve issue in his shoulder. Earlier this week it was reported that Rosen

wasn’t expected to return anytime soon.

Not only could Rosen’s 2016 season be over, but there could be long-term ramifications for the quarterback. From the Scout.com website:

The type of injury is a potentially serious one, with very little method to determine if the shoulder will regain healthy nerve activity and the time frame for recovery. Other quarterbacks who have had a similar injury to Rosen’s have had a wide range of recovery results, with some returning within several weeks, and others being out for a more extended period. Some quarterbacks with a severe version of the injury have had to eventually undergo surgery for symptoms that arise from further complications, which could lead to a recovery of multiple months. It has also led ultimately to the end of some quarterbacks’ careers.

Rosen, who started the first 19 games of his Bruins career, has missed the last two dealing with the issue. Redshirt senior Mike Fafaul has started in place of Rosen, and set school records for completions and attempts against Utah two weeks ago.

The Bruins have lost both of the games in which Fafaul has started. At 3-5, and having lost three in a row and four of their last five, the Bruins are in danger of failing to qualify for a bowl for the first time since 2010.