USC vs Washington Injury Report: Banged Up Trojans To Suit Up

Despite a number of injury concerns this week, Clay Helton expects nearly all his banged up Trojans to suit up on Saturday. Here’s the injury report ahead of USC vs Washington.

USC’s final practice ahead of the trip to face Washington in Seattle yielded good news on the injury front.

Defensive lineman Stevie Tu’ikolovatu continued to progress through his sprained PCL, moving around well enough on Thursday to give head coach Clay Helton confidence in his ability to play on Saturday.

Running backs Justin Davis and Aca’Cedric Ware, both of whom have been held out with ankle sprains, were able to participate in practice this week and are expected to suit up as well. Having said that, Ronald Jones II will remain the primary back for the Trojans since the level of participation Davis and Ware can manage is in question.

Cornerback Iman Marshall missed practice on Tuesday with a tight hamstring but he was able to return for Wednesday and Thursday. Though he is in line to start against the Huskies, the Trojans have been preparing freshman Jack Jones for a greater role.

It was also good news for offensive lineman Damien Mama, whose sore knee kept him out on Tuesday. The guard had fluid drained from his knee and appears good to go for Saturday.

Though never in doubt of missing out, Helton also commented on the status of receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has been fighting through a back injury. At this point in the season, managing bumps and bruises are a reality for most players, Helton said. The receiver has been undergoing treatment for his back but should be able to continue playing through it.

Cornerback Jonathan Lockett, meanwhile, will remain out with the hip injury he suffered two weeks ago.

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)
• Probable: RB Justin Davis (ankle), OL Damien Mama (knee), CB Iman Marshall (hamstring), DL Stevie Tu’ikolovatu (knee), RB Aca’Cedric Ware (ankle)

Washington Injury Report:

• Out for the season: LB Sean Constantine (ankle), LB Joe Mathis (foot)
• Probable: LB Azeem Victor (undisclosed), LB Psalm Wooching

On the opposing sideline, Chris Petersen is not as forthright with his injury report as Helton is, choosing not to disclose the fitness of his players one way or the other.

What we do know is that linebacker and UW sack leader Joe Mathis is officially out for the season with the foot injury which has sidelined him since the Huskies’ victory over Oregon on October 8.

That’s the second linebacker Washington has lost to injury this season after back up middle linebacker Sean Constantine broke his ankle during a scrimmage in August.

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Nor is that the end of the Huskies injury problems at the linebacker position.

Starting linebackers Azeem Victor and Psalm Wooching were both knocked out of UW’s win over Cal on Saturday. Wooching was out of uniform at half time and missed the entire second half.

The nature of the injuries has not been revealed but Petersen told reporters after the game on Saturday that both players would likely be fine.

The Seattle Times quoted the head coach: “If they don’t want to play this week then that’s on them.”

Both are expected to take the field on Saturday.