USC vs. Stanford Injury Report: Glimmer of hope for Michael Pittman

The Trojans and Cardinal both enter Saturday’s Pac-12 opener with relatively healthy squads. Here’s the injury report for USC vs. Stanford.

If nothing else, USC’s injury situation head into the Stanford game has only improved as the week has gone on with good news for Chuma Edoga and a glimmer of hope for Michael Pittman.

Edoga suffered a knee bruise during the first half of the Trojans’ opener against Western Michigan, which limited the right tackle at practice this week. However, after several practices easing back in, the junior appears good to go for Saturday.

At receiver, Pittman’s presence could have been used in Week 1, but the sophomore remained sidelined by a high ankle sprain. Though Helton called him doubtful early in the week, Pittman did more work than expected on Thursday and there is now the slightest chance he will suit up for USC on Saturday.

Freshman safety Bubba Bolden, however, is likely to sit out after suffering a bone bruise in his knee against the Broncos.

As for tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe, he was a more full participant in practice this week and should play a bigger role on Saturday.

USC Injury Report:

• Out for season: LB Tayler Katoa (knee), CB Jonathan Lockett (hip), S Isaiah Pola-Mao (shoulder)
• Out: LB Matt Bayle (undisclosed), OLB Hunter Echols (hip), DL Liam Jimmons (ankle), OT Nathan Smith (knee)
• Doubtful: S Bubba Bolden (knee), WR Michael Pittman (ankle)
• Questionable: WR Keyshawn “Pie” Young (hamstring)
• Probable: OL Chuma Edoga (knee), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (hip)

Stanford Injury Report:

• Out for the season: N/A
• Out: CB Terrence Alexander (arm)
• Questionable: OL A.T. Hall (undisclosed)
• Probable: WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside (undisclosed), RB Trevor Speights (undisclosed), LB Mike Tyler (undisclosed)

On the other side of things, Stanford used their bye week well, getting key contributors back up to speed.

In Sydney, the Cardinal didn’t suit up a number of players including wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside, offensive lineman A.T. Hall, running back Trevor Speights and linebacker Mike Tyler with undisclosed injuries.

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Hall should be available, according to R.J. Abeytia of Scout’s The Bootleg, but the right tackle is not slated to start, with Devery Hamilton getting the nod.

Arcega-Whiteside will get the start after sitting out the opener. The junior was Stanford’s second-leading receiver in 2016, catching 24 passes for 379 yards. His five touchdown catches were tops among Cardinal receivers.

Tyler is also slated to slide into a starting role at outside linebacker. He was a backup in 2016

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Speights, meanwhile, is likely to return, though he appears buried behind Bryce Love and Cameron Scarlett at the running back spot.