UCLA NOTEBOOK: KEY LINEMEN OUT WITH KNEE INJURIES.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

UCLA's already thin offensive and defensive lines were given serious jolts Thursday when it was learned sophomore defensive end Kevin Harbour could miss the 2004 season and center Robert Chai injured his right knee.

Harbour, who already used his redshirt year, was the projected starter to replace Dave Ball at right defensive end. But an MRI showed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

``He's going to have to have surgery,'' UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. ``He'll bounce back from it. It's one of those injuries that occurs a lot in this sport, and with our medical technology, usually guys can recover pretty quickly with that. Hopefully, we'll get him back during some point of the season.''

Freshman Bruce Davis and sophomore Justin Hickman will contend for the spot now, but incoming freshman Brigham Harwell, the jewel of UCLA's recruiting class, should compete for playing time in the fall.

``Kevin was going to be a key guy for us,'' Dorrell said. ``He's worked extremely in the offseason. The injury, it's really tough on the kid. I feel so bad for him. It's going to affect us because we were counting on him heavily. I hope it's a setback he can continue to fight through and come back, and I think he will because he's really grown up.''

Meanwhile, the more pressing concern for the Bruins is at center after Chai left the field on a cart. He will have an MRI today but was already ruled out of the remainder of spring practice, and his long-term prognosis is uncertain.

With center Mike McCloskey yet to practice because of pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining of the lung that makes it difficult to breathe, freshman walk-on Brian Rubinstein, a 5-foot-11, 255-pounder, played center for the second half of practice.

``We think it's probably similar to an injury (Chai) had last season, but we're not sure,'' Dorrell said. ``It doesn't look like a major knee injury, compared to a lot of knee injuries that can occur.''

In the short term, Dorrell said senior guard Paul Mociler could be moved to center. Mociler played center at St. John Bosco of Bellflower. Also, McCloskey underwent a series of tests, each which came back normal and he is hopeful of being cleared to practice next week.

``By next week I should be OK,'' McCloskey said.

--Notes: Bruins linebacker Xavier Burgess, who is suspended indefinitely from the team, had his court date continued until May 26. He faces five misdemeanor counts from a run-in with a parking attendant ... UCLA will have its first scrimmage Saturday. Dorrell said it would be at least 100 plays.

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com