USC Injury Report: JuJu Smith-Schuster Suffers Back Spasm vs Arizona

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered a back spasm which forced him out of USC’s win over Arizona, but the injury is not expected to sideline him for long.

The Trojan Family held their breath for a quarter after JuJu Smith-Schuster stayed down on the sideline for a long while. He had been hit hard in the back while going up for a pass late in the third quarter and had to be helped to the bench by teammates.

“It got tight instantly and it locked up and I couldn’t move. For about two minutes I was stiff and I had trouble breathing. I felt like I got the wind knocked out of me,” Smith-Schuster explained after USC’s 48-14 victory over Arizona was finished.

Thankfully for USC, the worst of the injury was in the moment for the junior wide out, who endured a back spasm, but is likely to recover quickly enough to continue making plays for the Trojans when they come back from the bye week.

With a week off before hosting the Cal Bears at the Coliseum on a Thursday night to end the October slate, Smith-Schuster will take the time to relax and let his back have a rest.

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“I’ll be fine [for Cal],” said Smith-Schuster. “If I can break a bone and come back the following week I feel like back spasm won’t be a problem.”

Concern remains for fellow wide receiver Steven Mitchell who injured his knee on a kick return earlier in the game. Mitchell went down without contact, clutching his knee and was helped off the field by trainers.

Initial x-rays came back negative for the slot man but his leg was in a brace after the game. More will be known about the extent of his injury when he undergoes an MRI on Thursday.

Other injury news coming out of the Arizona game involves safety Leon McQuay. Head coach Clay Helton indicated post-game that the senior has a groin/hip flexor.

Linebacker Olajuwon Tucker also went down injured on Saturday but his injury was deemed minor.