UCLA midfielder Niko Emaleva will obviously play against Washington

Niko Imalieva is back.

The UCLA quarterback, who missed last weekend’s game against Ohio State with a concussion, has been cleared to play against Washington on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of health matters. Iamaleava was released from concussion protocol Monday night.

The return of the Bruins’ best player should bolster an offense that unveiled a conservative game plan against the Buckeyes under backup quarterback Luke Duncan.

UCLA’s offensive line will also return to full strength with the expected return of guard Garrett DiGiorgio and Reuben Unije dealing with injuries. DiGiorgio missed the game against the Buckeyes with back spasms and Unije left the game with a lower-body injury.

Iamaleava has been the Bruins’ best offensive weapon this season after transferring from Tennessee. He completed 63.7% of his passes for 1,659 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also emerging as the team’s leading rusher with 474 yards and four touchdowns on 96 carries.

Iamaleava’s refusal to slide or go out of bounds may have contributed to his concussion as he was repeatedly hit hard as a result of his bravado. He absorbed several punishing hits against Nebraska earlier this month before displaying concussion symptoms over the following week, forcing him to miss the game against Ohio State.

Duncan played admirably in Emalieva’s absence, completing 16 of 23 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. He looked more comfortable as the game progressed amid play calls that increasingly allowed him to throw the ball farther down the field.

Now Duncan will happily cede his spot to Iamaleava as the Bruins (3-7 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) attempt to snap a three-game losing streak with a win over the Huskies (7-3, 4-3).