USC Football Injury Report: Trojans to enter 2017 Fall Camp mostly healthy

USC Football will enter fall camp mostly healthy, though right guard Viane Talamaivao will miss time as he recovers from elbow surgery.

USC Football’s 2017 fall camp will kick off on Saturday with a mostly healthy squad ready to get back on the practice field.

The Trojans’ only major injury concern heading into camp is right guard Viane Talamaivao, who missed the end of spring camp because of an elbow injury.

Recovery from surgery on that elbow will keep Talamaivao out through the first week of camp, but head coach Clay Helton said the veteran lineman should be 100 percent clear by August 8.

USC Injury Report:

• Out for fall: LB Tayler Katoa (knee)
• Out: OL Viane Talamaivao (elbow)
• Questionable: WR Steven Mitchell (knee), OT Nathan Smith (knee), WR Trevon Sidney (hip)
• Limited: OL Toa Lobendahn (knee)

In other positive news, fellow offensive lineman Toa Lobendahn is fully cleared after last year’s season-ending knee injury.

Helton said the versatile big man should be a full participant, though he may be eased back into action due to the nature of his injury.

“There’s going to be times when he’s going need to take a day off and if things swell we’re just going to have to monitor it,” Helton said.

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There was more good news on the injury hit offensive line regarding center Nico Falah. He missed time in the spring with a herniated disk, prompting discussions about moving him back out to one of the tackle positions to take the pressure off his back.

The time off seems to have done the trick though. After spending the summer working on his core strength with Ivan Lewis and USC’s strength and condition staff, the head coach says Falah is feeling better than ever.

“Nico’s probably in the best health that he’s been since he’s been here,” Helton said.

With the offensive line concerns squared away, USC’s two-deep is fit and ready to get back out on Howard Jones Field.

“Everywhere else we’re looking pretty healthy. I think Russ and Ivan have done a really good job in the summer getting our kids ready,” said Helton.