LOS ANGELES — No. 9 UCLA reinstated cornerback Ishmael Adams on Tuesday, ending the junior’s suspension at three games following his arrest on suspicion of robbery.
The Bruins (3-0) also learned they’ve lost starting cornerback Fabian Moreau for the season due to a foot injury.
Adams learned Monday that he won’t face felony charges after allegedly taking a phone during a fight with an Uber driver Aug. 30, and Bruins coach Jim Mora decided the suspension already served was sufficient.
“We feel as a program that he has missed a quarter of his season, and he has shown remorse with the actions that he has taken,” Mora told reporters after the Bruins’ early morning practice. “He has accepted responsibility. He has accepted the consequences. He has apologized profusely to his team and has come back with a great attitude, so we’re going to move forward that way.”
The Los Angeles district attorney’s office has referred Adams’ case to the city attorney for possible misdemeanor charges.
Adams started every game in his first two seasons at UCLA, earning all-conference honors last year. He also returned kicks for the Bruins.
Thanks to Moreau’s injury, Adams might have to play immediately when the Bruins visit No. 16 Arizona on Saturday for their Pac-12 opener and their biggest test of the season.
“I think (Adams) is ready to play,” Mora said. “I don’t know if he can play a whole game. Ishmael has always been one of those guys who has kept himself in shape, but football shape is different than running around the track.”
The Bruins will need the help after Moreau joined defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes as the second key defensive starter lost for the season.
Moreau has a Lisfranc injury, which involves small broken bones in the foot. The senior was sidelined early in the Bruins’ 24-23 victory over BYU at the Rose Bowl last weekend.
Moreau started 25 games over the previous two seasons for the Bruins, steadily improving as a tackler and a coverage defender. Mora, a longtime NFL defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator, said Moreau is “an NFL corner, without a doubt.”
Moreau intends to file for a hardship waiver to regain his final year of eligibility at UCLA, Mora said.
“It’s a huge blow, a huge blow,” Mora said. “You lose Eddie Vanderdoes and then you lose Fabian Moreau, that’s pretty significant. But that’s part of this game, unfortunately. As such, you have to take the mindset that the next guy has got to step up. … You’re never going to go through a season unscathed.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
