USC vs Alabama: LT Chad Wheeler In Doubt For Season Opener

USC football could be without starting left tackle Chad Wheeler for the season opener against Alabama, as the lineman fights back from a foot injury.

Chad Wheeler is running out of time. The senior left tackle, who has missed extensive time in the lead up to the season opener due to plantar fasciitis, must prove his fitness by Tuesday if he hopes to start for USC football against Alabama, Clay Helton said Saturday.

Following the conclusion of the Trojans’ mock game week, the head coach revealed that Wheeler’s attempts to return from his foot injury hit a speed bump this weekend.

“Tried to do Chad a little bit, [but he’s] just not quite there yet right now. He’s getting better but at this point in time he’s not 100 percent,” said Helton. “Tuesday we’ll have to see where we’re at and we’ll have to go ahead and make a decision.”

Helton intends to name a starter at the position after the first official practice of the Alabama game week on Tuesday.

If Wheeler is good to go, then he will get the start. If not, the Trojans will turn to sophomore Chuma Edoga at the left tackle spot.

Early on during fall camp, USC switched right tackle Zach Banner to the left, but Edoga has taken reps there over the last two weeks in order to give Banner more time in his natural position.

SEE ALSO: Zach Banner Eager To Be USC’s Dominator On The Offensive Line

Though Helton said he would be comfortable with Banner playing on the left, he also stated a desire to keep the redshirt senior in his consistent position on the right.

Last year against Utah and Wisconsin, Banner played on the left with Edoga, then a true freshman, filling in on the right.

While Wheeler might not be 100% on Tuesday, Helton left the door open for him to see limited playing time against the Tide if he progresses far enough by the end of the week.

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As for what could happen if the tackle positions suffer the same injury crisis as the centers in 2015, when Max Tuerk and Toa Lobendahn were lost to season-ending knee injuries while nagging injuries to Khaliel Rodgers forced fourth-string center Nico Falah into the lineup, the head coach has it covered.

“We’ve thought it through already,” Helton said.

Backups at the position include redshirt freshman Clayton Johnston and true freshmen E.J. Price and Nathan Smith. There is also a possibility USC could shift guards Chris Brown or Jordan Simmons into a tackle spot, as both have experience on the outside.

In other, more positive injury news, safety Marvell Tell is expected to be back from a hamstring injury for complete participation in the lead up to Alabama.