USC Injury Report: Good news on Josh Falo’s knee (8/5)

The Trojans got good news on Josh Falo’s knee as the tight end has no structural damage. Here’s the full USC injury report after fall camp practice No. 6.

There was slight reason to worry on Friday after freshman tight end Josh Falo went down with a knee injury. However, the Trojans were relieved to hear that the MRI on his left leg showed no signs of structural damage.

“We got really good news on Josh Falo,” head coach Clay Helton said after practice on Saturday. “He has a pretty good bone bruise that will take a week or so to get right and that will be a day-to-day thing. [We’re] really happy with that.”

Falo was at practice with a brace on his knee and walking on crutches, but he’ll be back in action soon enough.

That’s a particularly bright prognosis because the Trojans are low on tight ends at the moment.

USC Injury Report:

• Out for camp: LB Tayler Katoa (knee), CB Jonathan Lockett (hip), OT Nathan Smith (knee)
• Out: OLB Oluwole Betiku (toe), TE Josh Falo (knee), S Matt Lopes (toe), TE Tyler Petite (concussion), OL Viane Talamaivao (elbow/ankle), RB James Toland (groin), OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (hamstring), WR Keyshawn “Pie” Young (hamstring)
• Questionable: CB Je’Quari Godfrey (knee), OL Frank Martin (hamstring),
• Limited: DL Kenny Bigelow (knee), OL Chuma Edoga (hamstring), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (hip flexor), OL Toa Lobendahn (knee)

Both Daniel Imatorbhebhe and Tyler Petite sat out on Saturday with the later fighting a hip flexor and the former going through concussion protocol.

“He got a little dinged so we went through concussion protocol, just to be safe,” Helton said of his junior tight end. “He wasn’t feeling all that great today so we held him out.”

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With Imatorbhebhe, Petite and Falo sidelined, the Trojans leaned on Cary Angeline, Erik Krommenhoek and walk-on Austin Applebee at the position.

On the defensive side of the ball, a tight hamstring for starting safety Marvell Tell gave C.J. Pollard his first taste of first team reps at USC.

Oluwole Betiku also sat out as he deals with turf toe. As a result, freshman Juliano Falaniko took second team reps opposite Connor Murphy at outside linebacker.

Cornerback Je’Quari Godfrey did not dress for the Trojans’ first full-contact practice either. He is on the way back from a high school knee injury, so contact was not risked.