UCLA offensive lineman Sonny Tevaga expected to rejoin team

Temporarily exiled UCLA offensive lineman Sonny Tevaga met with Coach Rick Neuheisel this morning and is expected to rejoin the team.

Neuheisel left Tevaga home when the Bruins traveled to Washington last weekend, asking him to ponder his future in the game. During their talk today, the sophomore apparently indicated that he wants to continue playing.

"I think so," Neuheisel said. "He'll be back at practice today and we'll see where it leads."

Tevaga started the first two games of the season at right guard and relieved Nick Ekbatani for much of the Oregon State game earlier this month.

Then came Neuheisel's surprise announcement last week and a few days in limbo for the lineman.

"There were just some things in his behavior that I noticed that weren't 100%," Neuheisel said. "I wanted him to know that this was an all-or-nothing commitment. You can't expect to have just your feet in the water and be a productive member of this team."

His return would bolster an offensive line struggling with injuries and inexperience.

Wharton is a Times staff writer.

david.wharton@latimes.com