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UPDATED: Arizona’s Hank Hobson released from hospital

Hank Hobson

Arizona linebacker Hank Hobson is carted off the field after collapsing in the fourth quarter. Photo by Andrew Fielding-US PRESSWIRE

UPDATE, 10 a.m. — From the athletic department’s communication services: “Arizona football’s sophomore linebacker Hank Hobson was released from the hospital this morning after being kept for precautionary reasons Saturday night following the game at UCLA. Hobson suffered a neck injury during the fourth quarter and was assisted off the field by medical personnel. He will return to Tucson on Sunday.”

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The postgame reports were positive about Arizona Wildcats linebacker Hank Hobson, who collapsed early in the fourth quarter and was taken off the field, immobilized, on a cart.

“They said he had movement in his hands and feet, but they’re taking him to the hospital to check him out,” coach Rich Rodriguez told reporters after a 66-10 loss to UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

He said on his postgame radio show that Hobson was taken to the hospital for “precautionary reasons.” Rodriguez said it was unclear if Hobson was going to be able to return on the team flight to Tucson.

Hobson collapsed at the end of a 14-yard rush by Johnathan Franklin with 12:55 to play in the game. Hobson took on a UCLA blocker, staggered as he turned to pursue the play, then collapsed on the field.

Trainers attended to him on the field for several minutes.

Hobson, a sophomore, seemed to be line for a starting spot in fall camp before suffering a shoulder injury that cost him the first two games. Playing as a backup to Sir Thomas Jackson at outside linebacker upon his return from injury, he entered Saturday night’s game at UCLA with 11 tackles in six games.

Hobson is the son of former major league player and manager Butch Hobson.

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