To say California's starting defense bears little resemblance to the unit it hoped to field coming into the season would be like comparing Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" to the ill-advised 1998 remake.
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The Golden Bears lost another projected starter for the season this week, when defensive tackle Mustafa Jalil was declared out after missing all five of Cal's games with an injured knee. Defensive end Brennan Scarlett is likely to follow the same path -- head coach Sonny Dykes said Tuesday that the team is "past the point of no return" with Scarlett, a converted junior outside linebacker who has been sidelined with a hand injury.
Jalil, who impressed in limited action as a true freshman, has been hampered by knee issues the last two seasons. Dykes said Jalil will undergo surgery to correct a cartilage issue.
Scarlett started nine games last season and posted 40 tackles, six tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles despite breaking his hand twice and playing most of the year in a heavy cast. Scarlett needed surgery to clean out an infection in that hand and has not played since.
Both Scarlett and Jalil are eligible for medical redshirts.
Considering its injury woes, it isn't a surprise Cal ranks second-to-last in the FBS in scoring defense, allowing 45 points per game. The Bears are now without five projected starters from its preseason depth chart heading into its game at UCLA this Saturday.
Another starter, cornerback Stefan McClure, will undergo knee surgery Wednesday for an injury he suffered in the 44-22 loss to Washington State. The extent of the injury and how much time McClure could miss will not be determined until doctors complete the procedure.
McClure has 30 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a team-high five pass breakups in five games. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound redshirt sophomore had been one of the few bright spots for the Cal defense, faring well in his return from a knee injury that forced him to sit out all last season.
Middle linebacker Nick Forbes has not played this season because of a back injury, and safety Avery Sebastian suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the season-opening loss to Northwestern.
Defensive end Chris McCain, Cal's most talented pass-rusher, was kicked off the team.
Two other starters, outside linebacker Jalen Jefferson (head) and corner Kam Jackson (ankle), are dealing with injuries but should play against the Bruins.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
