Rico Flores Jr. injury: DeShaun Foster reveals unfortunate news for UCLA WR

DeShaun Foster had an unfortunate update amidst another question that was asked yesterday about UCLA WR Rico Flores Jr..

Foster got a question during his media availability on Monday about Flores potentially receiving a redshirt since he has only appeared in four games this fall. With that, though, came the news that the sophomore wide receiver recently had season-ending surgery. That will keep him off the field until next season has already kicked off.

“Rico just had season-ending surgery,” Foster said. “Yeah, so, it was very unfortunate for Rico. He was trending in the right direction, was able to get out there. Then we had to take a step back, you know. So he’s going to be out for the season.”

“No, he won’t (be back in time for spring practice),” added Foster. “He probably won’t be back until, I would say, that first week of, like, probably September, maybe October.”

However, back to the original question, Flores can apply for a redshirt after playing in four games but having not appeared since the end of September.

“Yeah, but, yeah,” said Foster. “Yeah, hopefully a medical or he does still have a redshirt.”

Flores was in his first season at UCLA and second collegiate season after transferring in from Notre Dame. In total, he has had 39 receptions for 579 yards and two touchdowns through 15 games between the two teams. That includes 12 catches for 187 yards and a score in his four to begin this year with the Bruins.

Flores was recently a top wideout talent after playing high school football at Folsom in California where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 239 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also rated as the No. 35 WR in the class and a Top-20 prospect out of the state.

Flores can be a quality piece moving forward, especially if he gets that extra year, in LA. That has just taken a setback for the time being with this season over him and the start of the next one now in question for him in his recovery.