CAL NOTEBOOK
Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer
Cal tackle Ryan O'Callaghan was wearing his shades at practice Monday -- and he wasn't going to Hollywood. The sunglasses were to protect his eyes from the sun, a standard measure taken after a concussion. Receivers Robert Jordan and DeSean Jackson were wearing slings, Jordan to protect a collarbone injury and Jackson to nurse a shoulder. At the other end of the field, defensive tackle Brandon Mebane was gamely trying to run on a sprained ankle. The four, hurt in Saturday's loss to Oregon State, are among the growing number of Cal players slowed by injuries this season. Coach Jeff Tedford doesn't discuss injury specifics until Thursdays, waiting to see how his players respond to treatment and practice.
He did say O'Callaghan's symptoms had subdued Monday, "so that's encouraging." However, Tedford described everyone as day-to-day.
"The main focus is to get those guys healthy," he said. O'Callaghan incurred the concussion when he was struck in the back of the head. Jackson sprained his shoulder when he dived in the end zone, reaching for a pass. Jordan injured his collarbone after he was pulled down by his face mask. Tedford said the injury occurred when he landed and was not related to the personal foul. And then there's defensive end Phillip Mbakogu and his mysterious knee ailment. Tedford said Mbakogu appeared improved Monday after being unable to play Saturday. He said team trainers couldn't offer a precise diagnosis after Mbakogu talked Thursday morning about pain at the back of his knee and swelling. Lynch back at it: Tailback Marshawn Lynch, who was benched for the second half of the Oregon State game after fumbling twice, was back practicing with the starting offense Monday. Plus, Tedford said Lynch would return kickoffs Saturday night against Washington State. Last year, Lynch averaged 24.8 yards per kickoff return. "We need a little life in the kickoff returns," Tedford said. Lavelle Hawkins has returned seven this year, averaging 18.4 yards, and Justin Forsett has four, averaging 17.5 yards.
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