USC Injury Report and Practice Notes: Deontay Burnett optimism for WSU (9/26)

Clay Helton said he expects receiver Deontay Burnett to play when the Trojans take on Washington State. Here’s the USC injury report and practice notes for Sept. 26.

USC head coach Clay Helton had some positive injury news for Trojan fans after Tuesday’s practice at Howard Jones Field: Star receiver Deontay Burnett is expected to play this Friday against Washington State.

“I think Deontay is going to be able to go,” Helton said. “We’re being pretty cautious with him.”

The junior missed practice again on Tuesday because of a shoulder injury, but Helton said he will do some work when the Trojans take the practice field on Wednesday and should be ready to go on Friday.

In his place, Trevon Sidney continued to take first team reps in the slot.

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)
Doubtful: OLB Porter Gustin (toe/bicep), WR Velus Jones Jr. (leg), WR Steven Mitchell (groin)
Questionable: RB Aca’Cedric Ware (undisclosed)
Probable: WR Deontay Burnett (shoulder), DL Rasheem Green (ankle), DB Ajene Harris (knee), RB Ronald Jones II (quad/ankle), WR Joseph Lewis (abdominal), OLB Uchenna Nwosu (knee/elbow), WR Michael Pittman (ankle), DL Marlon Tuipulotu (knee)

Sidney’s involvement will be increased due to an injury to Velus Jones. The redshirt freshman has missed two practices with what Helton termed a “lower leg injury.”

At running back, the Trojans were boosted by the news that Ronald Jones II and Aca’Cedric Ware both practiced on Tuesday. Jones was feeling better than he did on Monday, Helton said, and got a little bit more work as a result. Ware, meanwhile, was able to suit up after missing the start of the week.

Helton also had a slight update on injured tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe.

“There is a plan to hopefully within a couple weeks that he can get back, but it’s all based on how he feels,” Helton said. “We’re never going to rush a kid back, but he is progressing.”

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The tight end has graduated from work on an underwater treadmill to the AlterG equipment which has allowed him to run on 80 to 90 percent of his body weight.

News and Notes:

Due to the short week, the Trojans practiced in shorts and shells for the second time this week, with Helton opting not to hold a full pads practice ahead of Washington State.

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Sam Darnold’s touch on the deep ball has been questioned in recent weeks, but the quarterback proved he can hit it over the top by tossing consecutive long touchdown passes to start the team period. First he found Sidney for a score, then followed it up with an identical pass to tight end Josh Falo.

Outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu supplied the highlight of practice when he tipped a Matt Fink pass at the line of scrimmage, then went up one-handed to snag the interception. Linebacker Cameron Smith was the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week and cornerback Jack Jones received Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors, but Nwosu continues to make his case as USC’s defensive MVP this year.

Cornerback Iman Marshall intercepted Fink during the 11-on-11 period.

Receivers Josh Imatorbhebhe and Randal Grimes seemed to get more work with the first team on Tuesday. With multiple injuries across the position, the freshmen could get an opportunity on Friday.