USC Football: 2015 Holiday Bowl Injury Report

The USC football team will enter the Holiday Bowl against Wisconsin without a couple of key players due to injury, including Tre Madden and Kevon Seymour.

Injuries have been a big concern for the Trojans this year, having already lost a pair of offensive linemen in Max Tuerk and Toa Lobendahn. Wednesday night, they’ll be down to just two linemen who started the season opener, and may have to rely on a fourth-string center if Khaliel Rodgers is limited.

Not to mention, they’ll be unable to see seniors Seymour and Madden ride off into the sunset in their final games.

Here’s a walk through the Trojans’ injury report, as confirmed by head coach Clay Helton throughout Holiday Bowl preparations.

Expected to play

LB Jabari Ruffin (concussion): After suffering a concussion, the junior reserve linebacker was given the green light by USC’s medical staff on Sunday, Helton said.

Could be limited

C Khaliel Rodgers (ankle): Despite making the trip and dressing for the Pac-12 Championship Game, fourth-string center Nico Falah got the start three weeks ago. Rodgers has been in and out of bowl prep, most recently getting first team reps with a heavily taped ankle.

Not expected to play

CB Kevon Seymour (ankle): Helton put the virtual kibosh on Seymour playing in the Holiday Bowl on Monday. The senior corner suffered an ankle injury at the start of bowl preparation. Freshman Iman Marshall will play in his place.

WR Isaac Whitney (collarbone): After missing eight games with a broken collarbone, it looked like Whitney was finally going to get back on the field. But a setback late in bowl prep had Helton telling reporters on Monday that he does not expect him to play.

Out

LT Chad Wheeler (personal reasons): After an incident with police on December 19th shortly before the first bowl practice, Wheeler was placed in productive custody. He’s since been released and no charges were filed. However, Helton indicated on Sunday that he would be held out of the Holiday Bowl, with hopes of him returning to the program in January.

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RB Tre Madden (personal reasons): A nagging knee injury throughout the season came to a head after the Pac-12 Championship Game, as Madden had arthroscopic knee surgery in hopes of getting his knee as healthy as possible for his football future in the NFL. Because of the procedure, he will miss the Holiday Bowl.

Previously Out

WR Ajene Harris (hip), C Max Tuerk (ACL), C Toa Lobendahn (ACL), LB Cameron Smith (ACL) and LB Lamar Dawson (shoulder) were already deemed out for the season before Holiday Bowl preparations.