USC Injury Report: Stevie Tu’ikolovatu Suffers PCL Sprain (11/6)

Stevie Tu’ikolovatu re-aggravated an old PCL injury, Iman Marshall tweaked his hamstring and more from the USC injury report following the Oregon game.

USC suffered some key defensive injuries against Oregon, head coach Clay Helton indicated during his Sunday conference call, but the Trojans don’t anticipate any long layoffs.

“We’ve got some bumps and bruises, need to get healed up quick before we play a good Washington team,” Helton said.

The biggest concern for USC coming out of the Oregon game was the knee injury to defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu. It turns out the Utah transfer sprained his PCL, aggravating an old injury.

Tu’ikolovatu will be rested this week, but with no damage to the ACL or MCL he could be in line to play for the Trojans come Saturday.

USC Injury Report:

• Out for the season: DT Kenny Bigelow (knee), C Toa Lobendahn (knee), WR Steven Mitchell (knee)
• Out: DL Noah Jefferson (academics/shoulder), CB Jonathan Lockett (hip), RB Vavae Malepeai (shoulder), OLB Jabari Ruffin (suspension)
• Questionable: DL Stevie Tu’ikolovatu (knee), RB Aca’Cedric Ware (ankle)
• Probable: WR Deontay Burnett (knee/thumb), RB Justin Davis (ankle), LB John Houston (knee), CB Iman Marshall (hamstring), S Marvell Tell (hip)

In the secondary, Iman Marshall was pulled from the game against Oregon due to a tight hamstring. He will be evaluated on Tuesday with hopes that the injury won’t slow him ahead of Washington.

Marvell Tell III suffered a minor hip injury on Saturday as well but Helton does not expect the knock to sideline his safety.

The same cannot be said of Jonathan Lockett who has made no progress with his hip injury. He will continue to be evaluated this week.

Wrapping up the defensive concerns, linebacker John Houston hyper-extended his knee but was able to finish out the game despite the injury. Like the others, the training staff will see where he stands on Tuesday.

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There was good news on the offensive side of the ball as running back Justin Davis has been cleared to practice this week after sitting out the last two games with an ankle sprain. Helton said they will see how his ankle holds up, but he is likely to get back to action on Saturday.

Fellow running back Aca’Cedric Ware has not been cleared to practice however. The sophomore hurt his ankle in practice last week and did not suit up for the match up with the Ducks. He will be evaluated on Tuesday.

Receiver Deontay Burnett suffered a pair of injuries against Oregon. The sophomore had a slight knee sprain and had his thumb pop out of place, but was able to play on, prompting Helton to call him “a warrior.”

He is not expected to miss any time.