One of the quickest ways for a successful season to go south is an injury to a key player or two. Cal looks pretty healthy heading into their Sept. 1 opener against Nevada, but coach Jeff Tedford will want to keep his eye on a few guys.

RG Dominic Galas -- torn pectoral muscle: Galas, who was the team’s starting center last year, tore his pectoral muscle lifting weights in mid-July. After undergoing surgery shortly after the injury, Tedford has said the earliest he expects Galas to return is October. Galas’ return would be a boon to the offensive line’s depth. Before his injury, Galas was expected to compete for the starting right guard spot during fall camp. The senior O-linemen had been moved to guard after struggling with shotgun snaps in 2011.

CB Stefan McClure -- recovering from surgery: McClure suffered one of the most devastating injuries of the Bears 2011 season. In Cal’s regular season finale against Arizona State, McClure tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus. Before the injury, McClure had shown his potential in an October game against USC when he held Trojan All-American wide receiver Robert Woods to 36 yards, his second lowest total of the season. When camp opened in early-August Tedford said of McClure: “He’s not doing much right now and probably won’t most of camp.” If McClure can get back on the field, he could push Steve Williamas as a starting corner. If McClure’s knee keeps him off the field, there is a possibility that the sophomore will redshirt.

ILB Khairi Fortt -- knee: Penn State transfer Fortt underwent minor knee surgery while still with the Nittany Lions this past spring. Fortt likely won’t be playing in the Bears opener and may not see action until Cal’s Sept. 15 road opener at Ohio State. Fortt’s availability at any point this season would be good news for an inside linebacking corps that lost Pac-12 defensive player of the year Mychal Kendricks and D.J. Holt.

Other injury concerns: LB Jason Gibson broke his foot on Aug. 6 and is expected  to miss at least three months. The Bears have reasonable depth at ILB, so from a personnel standpoint, the injury came at one of the few positions where Cal could afford one. OL Mark Brazinski is still rehabbing from an ACL tear he suffered in April. Although there’s a chance reserve center could return this season, the coaching staff may not feel the need to rush him as Chris Adcock and freshman Matt Cochran can both play the position. 

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