A neck injury has cost Tony Dye the past four games of UCLA’s season. Now, it could very well cost the defensive back the remainder of his senior season as well.
Head coach Rick Neuheisel confirmed Tuesday that Dye will likely miss the remaining five games of the year because of the lingering neck issue. Dye, who has not played since a Sept. 17 game against Texas, has been in and out of practice since and, barring an unexpected development, will be shut down for the year.
“Tony and his family will continue to look for another way but I just don’t think it’s the prudent thing to do,” Neuheisel said about a potential return. “I think he needs to get himself 100 percent healthy and hopefully come back and play for us next year.”
Dye could petition for a medical redshirt following the season; as he’s played in three games with none coming past the midpoint of the season, he would be eligible for a hardship waiver if that’s the tack he decides to take.
Prior to the injury, Dye had started 28 straight games for the Bruins.