USC Injury Report: Steven Mitchell Out For Season With ACL Tear

USC wide receiver Steven Mitchell suffered an ACL tear against Arizona, head coach Clay Helton announced Sunday.

The Trojans will be without Steven Mitchell for the remainder of the 2016 season after an MRI confirmed the redshirt junior tore the ACL in his left knee on a kick return Saturday.

Mitchell pulled up without contact after fielding a short kickoff from the Wildcats. Clutching his knee in pain on the Arizona sideline, trainers had to help the receiver off the field while teammates gave their support.

After USC’s 48-14 victory, Mitchell was seen in an air cast. Initial x-rays came back negative but the MRI revealed the damage.

This is not the first time Mitchell has suffered such a devastating injury. As a freshman he tore his ACL in the right knee and had to redshirt. He never quite emerged as a real threat upon his return in 2014 and sprained his knee during the Holiday Bowl.

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In 2015, Mitchell’s role began to increase but a sprained ankle limited him in the middle of the season as he gained 335 yards on 37 receptions for the year.

Returning as a junior in 2016, Mitchell has held down a starting place along with Deontay Burnett in the slot. Through seven games he had 226 yards with 24 catches and a touchdown.

With Mitchell sidelined, USC will turn to Burnett, who has already shown his ability to make plays out of the slot.

Along with Burnett, converted quarterback Jalen Greene will be utilized more in the slot. Greene’s presence could help the Trojans avoid burning the redshirts of freshman receivers Trevon Sidney and Velus Jones, who are currently listed as back ups in that spot.

In more positive injury news, Helton revealed during his Sunday conference call that JuJu Smith-Schuster’s back spasm, Leon McQuay II’s hip pointer and Olajuwon Tucker’s leg problem are all considered minor and should not keep any of the players out for long.