Kai Maiava expected back in October

Updated: August 23, 2010, 2:51 PM ET
By Ted Miller | ESPN.com

UCLA center Kai Maiava might not be done for the season after all.

Maiava, who fractured his ankle early in the Bruins scrimmage Saturday, might be able to return to the team as early as late October, coach Rick Neuheisel told ESPN.com's Bruce Feldman after practice Monday.

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That means he could perhaps play in the final four games of the season, starting on Nov. 6 versus Oregon State, though that estimate might be slightly ambitious.

Maiava will have surgery on his ankle at the end of the week. The injury was originally thought to be season-ending, requiring up to six months of rehabilitation.

"I have full confidence he'll work his butt off so he can be back for our last three games," Neuheisel told Feldman.

Ted Miller covers Pac-10 football for ESPN.com.

Ted Miller | email

College Football
  • ESPN.com Pac-12 blogger
  • Covered college football since 1997
  • Wrote for Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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