UCLA football will be without two key players against Purdue

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UCLA football will be without two key players against Purdue

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows UCLA football player wearing a white jersey with blue and gold stripes, a gold helmet, and number 7, Image 2 shows A football player in a blue jersey with number 19 and a tan helmet looking towards the right side of the field, Image 3 shows San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke walks onto the field

Ben Bolch · NY Post Sports

Thu, Sep 17, 2026 ·

2 min read

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UCLA's football team will be down two part-time starters for its Big Ten opener on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

Wide receiver Mikey Matthews and safety Tao Johnson – each of whom started one game earlier this season – were listed as out for the Bruins' game against Purdue on Saturday night as part of the first Big Ten availability report of the season.

Others who will miss the game are reserve offensive tackle Mack Indestad; reserve wide receiver Jonah Smith; backup center Sam Yoon; and reserve defensive backs Joshua Dixon and Jamier Johnson.

UCLA Bruins wide receiver Mikey Matthews (7) plays during the second quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California, Sept. 5, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tight end Josh Phifer was listed as doubtful.

Wide receiver Aidan Mizell, linebacker Ryan McCulloch and defensive back Jhase McMillan were listed as questionable.

Matthews, who has made four catches for 88 yards, went down against San Diego State last weekend with an apparent left leg injury. Mizell also was hurt while making his season debut against the Aztecs.

UCLA linebacker Ryan McCulloch is listed as questionable for the Bruins' game against Purdue on Saturday. Isabella Serafini/UCLA Athletics

Johnson was hurt in the season opener against Cal, giving way to backup Ta'Shawn James – who went on to make two interceptions and move into the starting lineup against San Diego State.

Indestad was hurt against San Diego State and Yoon, a former starter who lost his spot to Riley Robell, has been out for a while with a foot injury that's forced him to get around on a scooter.

Purdue will be without defensive backs Mister Clark and Raderrion Daniels as well as tight end Kylan Fox. Clark had five tackles, one sack and a pass broken up during the Boilermakers' season-opening victory over Indiana State before missing their double-overtime loss to Wake Forest last week.

This was the first of four availability reports that will be issued each week during Big Ten play under new conference guidelines.

Teams must submit reports three days, two days and one day before every Big Ten game, plus a final gameday submission two hours before kickoff.

For the first three reports of each week, players are designated as either probable, questionable, doubtful, out or out for the first half. The gameday reports require players to be listed as either a game-time decision, out or out for the first half. Anyone not listed is considered available.

Visiting teams are required to indicate the availability of players who are part of the travel squad or have been included in the two-deep on offense, defense or special teams – or otherwise regularly play in games.

UCLA Bruins head coach Bob Chesney walks off the field after a win against the San Diego State Aztecs at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, on Sept. 12, 2026. Getty Images

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