Former University of Hawai'i defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis is scheduled to meet with a San Francisco specialist to determine the severity of a torn pectoral muscle.

Alama-Francis said he suffered the injury in the first half of Sunday's Hula Bowl.

Alama-Francis was examined Sunday night and yesterday morning in Honolulu. He left yesterday afternoon for San Francisco, a family friend said.

Alama-Francis said he will not be able to play in Saturday's East-West Shrine Game in Houston.

Depending on the severity of the injury, his options range from non-surgical rehabilitation to several months of post-surgery recovery.

"That's all speculative," UH defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said. "Until you know what the injury is for certain, there's no point in gnashing your teeth or wringing your hands. You don't know."

Reinebold said he is hopeful Alama-Francis will be able to participate in next month's National Football League Scouting Combine.

"It's not a knee (injury), it's not a shoulder, it's a muscle tear," Reinebold said. "To what extent, we don't know. But muscle tears are a lot easier to fix than ligament tears. He's going to do fine. He's got a lot of time before the combine."

Reinebold said NFL scouts have seen enough of Alama-Francis during the 2006 season and the Hula Bowl to assess his talent.

Before the injury, Mel Kiper Jr., who analyzes the draft for ESPN, projected Alama-Francis to be drafted on the first day.

"He's shown the NFL people, on tape, he can make all of the plays," Reinebold said.

Reinebold said many prospects do not participate in 40-yard dashes or bench-press drills at the combine.

"Hopefully, he'll be able to do enough during individual workouts (in March)," Reinebold said.

Another former UH defensive end, Melila Purcell III, suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament during the Hula Bowl.

Leo Goeas, Purcell's agent, said the injury was diagnosed as a Grade 1, the mildest of the three grades of sprains.

Purcell, running back Nate Ilaoa, center Samson Satele and right tackle Dane Uperesa are expected to arrive in Houston today to begin two months of training. Satele, Uperesa and Ilaoa also were invited to compete in the NFL combine.