Bruins hit by injuries

Despite a three week break since their last game, the UCLA Bruins are experiencing more of the injury problems that have plagued them all season.

Two Bruins are likely to miss the Sun Bowl due to recent injuries, defensive tackle Cory Lombard and defensive end Rusty Williams.

Lombard, who stepped in to start the last three games, broke his arm in a collision with tailback DeShaun Foster early last week. He is listed as questionable for the Dec. 29 contest in El Paso.

Williams will miss the game due to a pair of shoulder injuries. Williams will have surgery early this week and will break his streak of 22 straight starts.

Linebacker Robert Thomas did not practice and was on crutches all of last week due to a stress fracture in his foot. The second-team All-Pac-10 and Butkus award semifinalist says he will be ready to play in the Sun Bowl.