UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season, per CBS Sports. ESPN’s Pete Thamel said the QB is currently expected to be sidelined “indefinitely” as UCLA awaits a final medical evaluation.
Iamaleava sustained the knee injury right before halftime in the Bruins’ game against Oregon last weekend. He looked to be in considerable pain, but then he missed one play and was back on the field.
The UCLA quarterback ended the first half with an interception in the end zone, and heading into halftime, head coach Bob Chesney said Iamaleava was fine and had just been hit in the thigh.
Iamaleava didn’t return to the sideline after halftime until nearly the end of the third quarter, and he was ruled out for the rest of the game. Now, he is expected to miss at least a significant chunk of the remainder of the season, if not all of it.
Without Iamalavea, UCLA turned to backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach. With him and the Bruins’ defense forcing seven total turnovers, UCLA knocked off Oregon 17-15.
Iamaleava finished 10 of 17 for 162 yards and two interceptions, including the Hail Mary heave picked off at halftime.
This post will be updated.