USC Injury Report: Eight starters sit out on Cal Tuesday (9/19)

Eight starters sat out of the Trojans’ Cal Tuesday practice as health concerns mount. Here’s the USC injury report after Tuesday’s practice.

After three weeks of live play, and nine more to go without a bye week, USC’s depth chart is looking increasingly shaky thanks to a rash of injury troubles following the Texas game.

The Trojans had eight starters sitting out on Tuesday, but head coach Clay Helton wouldn’t hit the panic button just yet.

“Our twos are stepping up,” Helton said. “Now if we had a couple more injuries in this game then I’m going to get worried, but I think we have adequate numbers and I have a lot of faith in the guys that have stepped up, especially in that last game.”

The injury list for Tuesday’s practice at Howard Jones Field was lengthy to say the least.

Outside linebacker Porter Gustin is battling back from toe surgery, which limited him to one half of play against Texas. He also has a bicep strain. He was not at practice.

USC Injury Report:

Out for season: K Michael Brown (knee), LB Tayler Katoa (knee), CB Jonathan Lockett (hip), S Isaiah Pola-Mao (shoulder)
Out: OLB Hunter Echols (hip), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (hip), OT Nathan Smith (knee)
Questionable: OLB Juliano Falaniko (knee), OLB Porter Gustin (toe/bicep), DB Ajene Harris (knee), LB John Houston (neck), DL Liam Jimmons (ankle), RB Ronald Jones II (quad/ankle), WR Joseph Lewis (abdominal), DL Jacob Lichtenstein (back), OLB Uchenna Nwosu (elbow/MCL), DL Marlon Tuipulotu (knee), WR Keyshawn “Pie” Young (hamstring)
Probable: OL Chuma Edoga (wrist), DL Rasheem Green (ankle), WR Michael Pittman (ankle)

Defensive lineman Rasheem Green suffered a high ankle sprain on Saturday. He was held.

Defensive back Ajene Harris has a hyperextended knee. He was held.

Inside linebacker John Houston is still bothered by neck stiffness from the stinger he received against Stanford. He was limited.

Outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu hyperextended his elbow and sprained his MCL. He warmed up, then left practice early.

With those five defensive starters limited or out, the Trojans turned to Oluwole Betiku, Connor Murphy, Christian Rector, Ykili Ross and Jordan Iosefa to fill the void on the first team.

On offense, the injury picture looks no better.

Four wide receivers missed all of or some portion of practice.

Steven Mitchell tweaked his groin during the final drive versus Texas. He was held.

Joseph Lewis has an abdominal muscle strain. He was held.

Michael Pittman did some work, but was held at the end of practice.

Keyshawn “Pie” Young was also limited.

Meanwhile running back Ronald Jones II has a quad contusion and ankle sprain. He was allowed to warm up, then was held.

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Tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe remained sidelined with a hip flexor.

Now for some good news.

Defensive linemen Marlon Tuipulotu and Liam Jimmons received “significant work” on Tuesday, according to Helton, as they come back from a knee and ankle injury respectively.

Outside linebacker Juliano Falaniko was back on the field despite suffering a knee sprain on Saturday.

And right tackle Chuma Edoga made great progress after missing the second half against Texas because of a wrist sprain.

With the bulk of the injured players listed as day-to-day, the Trojans could get to Saturday’s road trip versus Cal with a deeper depth chart than it now appears, but it will be a critical couple of days before those injury decisions are made.

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