USC vs. Texas Injury Report: Starters missing on both sides

Starters will be missing on both sides of Saturday’s battle in Austin. Here’s the injury report for USC vs. Texas.

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Injury absences for USC vs. Texas are limited, but still concerning for the Trojans.

This week USC will be without starting safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, who was himself a replacement for suspended starter Bubba Bolden and transfer-bound co-starter Ykili Ross. The redshirt freshman suffered a separated shoulder against Stanford. Coincidentally, a separated shoulder forced him to redshirt last year as well.

In Pola-Mao’s place, USC will turn to the duo of redshirt sophomore C.J. Pollard and freshman Talanoa Hufanga.

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Aside from the crisis at safety, the Trojans may be dealing with bumps and bruises elsewhere, but the lineup shouldn’t be too heavily affected by injury.

Quarterback JT Daniels looked no worse for wear this week in practice after suffering a contusion on his hand against Stanford.

Tight end Josh Falo is due back from a hamstring injury, giving a much needed boost to a unit which is already missing Daniel Imatorbhebhe and Austin Applebee, though the latter is set to return next week.

The offensive line remains a fixture of USC’s injury report, but no one is expected to miss action this week. Chuma Edoga sat out Wednesday with a stomach bug, which has been going around the team. He was back to work on Thursday. Backup Jalen McKenzie missed Tuesday and was back Wednesday with the same issue.

Meanwhile, center Toa Lobendahn and Austin Jackson continue to work through a pectoral and ankle issue respectively. They will take part on Saturday as they move closer to 100 percent health.

Defenders Christian Rector and Isaiah Langley missed some practice time this week, however, both are not expected to miss gametime.

USC Injury Report

Out for the season
- LB Tayler Katoa (LDS Mission)
Out
- LB Oluwole Betiku (hip)
- LB Solomon Tuliaupupu (foot)
- DB Bubba Bolden (suspension)
- DB Isaiah Pola-Mao (shoulder)
Doubtful
- TE Austin Applebee (mono)
- TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (quad)
- WR Josh Imatorbhebhe (ankle)
- WR Jake Russell (hamstring)
Probable
- OL Chuma Edoga (illness)
- OL Austin Jackson (ankle)
- OL Toa Lobendahn (pec)
- OL Jalen McKenzie (illness)
- TE Josh Falo (hamstring)
- QB JT Daniels (hand)
- DL Christian Rector (back)
- LB Juliano Falaniko (shoulder)
- DB Isaiah Langley (hip/groin)

Texas Injury Report

Out
- OL Patrick Hudson (heat)
- OL Zach Shackelford (foot)
- LB Demarco Boyd (suspension)
Doubtful
- RB Keaontay Ingram (knee)
- WR John Burt (foot)
- DB Demarvion Overshown (undisclosed)
Probable
- LB Ayodele Adeoye (knee)
- DB Davante Davis (neck)
- DB Brandon Jones (ankle)

The Longhorns come into the USC game with their share of injury woes.

Running back Keaontay Ingram sprained his MCL against Tulsa and is not expected to play on Saturday, according to the Dallas Morning News. The freshman had a touchdown in each of Texas’ first two games and is averaging 6.31 yards per carry. His absence will put more responsibility on Cal transfer Tre Watson and sophomore Daniel Young.

Starting center Zach Shackelford is expected to miss a second-straight game after spraining his foot in practice ahead of the Tulsa game.

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Backups like receiver John Burt and defensive back Demarvion Overshown are also likely to sit out.

Offensive guard Patrick Hudson, who suffered heat-related illness during practice earlier this month, was released from the hospital this week and was due to return to classes, but it’s not clear when he will return to the football field. He was Patrick Vahe’s backup at left guard to start the season.

Texas is likely to have starting cornerback Davante Davis back this weekend. He suffered a neck sprain in the opener and missed last week, but looks good to go.

Starting safety Brandon Jones also sat out the Tulsa game and was able to practice some this week, but he is still battling a high ankle sprain.

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