ELY -- UNLV's banged-up middle linebacker spot took another hit Saturday when junior Bradley Niles injured a toe on his left foot and is expected to be out four to six weeks.
Coach Mike Sanford said a chip was discovered in Niles' toe.
The Rebels have been without starting middle linebacker Matt Pattison, a senior who injured his left ankle Thursday. Pattison is expected to return soon.
"The good thing about it is we're going to train some other guys," Sanford said.
* OTHER INJURIES -- Redshirt freshman linebacker Mike McDonald and freshman wide receiver Tate Knutson suffered concussions.
Neither appeared overly serious, but Sanford said he would be cautious.
"We've got to learn the difference between pain and injury," Sanford said. "A concussion is an injury. I totally defer to the medical staff on an injury, but when it's just pain, that's different."
* MISSING LINEMEN -- Freshman center Ray Lobato left the team, and senior offensive tackle Marcus Bryan is back in Las Vegas working on academics.
Sanford said he did not know why Lobato left. But he was deep in the depth chart, behind senior Aaron Mueller, senior Kea Toledo and freshman Joe Hawley.
Bryan is listed as the backup to senior Chris Bowser at left tackle.
"(Bryan) needed to take care of an incomplete, and we said if he didn't have it done by the time the bus left (Friday afternoon), he was not coming," Sanford said. "He's back taking care of academics and will be here when he gets here, which could be five minutes. It could be three days."
UNLV coach Mike Sanford assesses the play of his quarterback candidates
Decision-making: "I think both did a really good job of decision-making today."
Productivity: "We did a bunch of stuff against the blitz, where both did very well. I would say Rocky was probably a little better in reacting to the blitz than Shane."
Ball security: "I thought Shane was a little better in ball security than Rocky today."
Big plays: "Rocky did really well in making big plays, more so than Shane."
