USC vs. Oregon State Injury Report: Andrew Vorhees, Ryan Nall worries

Offensive line injuries remain the big concern for the Trojans, including a back problem for replacement starter Andrew Vorhees. Here’s the injury report ahead of USC vs. Oregon State.

USC’s injury situation ahead of the Oregon State game covers positions across the lineup, but the offensive line has drawn most of the concern this week.

The Trojans were forced to play three backup offensive linemen against Washington State, replacing left tackle Toa Lobendahn, right guard Viane Talamaivao and right tackle Chuma Edoga with freshman Austin Jackson, freshman Andrew Vorhees and redshirt sophomore Clayton Johnston.

The good news is, Lobendahn is slated to return to the starting unit after sitting out with a skin infection.

The bad news is, Talamaivao is done for the season due to a pectoral injury which requires surgery and Vorhees, his back up, sat out Thursday’s practice because of back tightness.

The true freshman missed the end of spring camp because of a back concern. However, head coach Clay Helton indicated on Thursday that the rest time for Vorhees was precautionary and he is expected to make his first career start for the Trojans on Saturday.

USC Injury Report:

Out for season: K Michael Brown (knee), CB Greg Johnson (shoulder), LB Tayler Katoa (knee), CB Jonathan Lockett (hip), S Isaiah Pola-Mao (shoulder), OL Viane Talamaivao (pectoral), WR Keyshawn “Pie” Young (hamstring/redshirt)
Out: RB Stephen Carr (foot), OLB Hunter Echols (hip), OL Chuma Edoga (ankle), OLB Porter Gustin (toe/bicep), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (hip), OT Nathan Smith (knee), DL Marlon Tuipulotu (knee)
Questionable: DL Rasheem Green (ankle), WR Jalen Greene (concussion), LB Jordan Iosefa (concussion)
Probable: WR Deontay Burnett (shoulder), CB Jamel Cook (illness), DL Malik Dorton (knee), DL Josh Fatu (knee), LT Toa Lobendahn (infection), WR Steven Mitchell (groin), OL Andrew Vorhees (back)

More bad news on the offensive line was confirmed by Helton on Thursday as well—after missing the entire week of practice with a high ankle sprain, starting right tackle Chuma Edoga will not play this weekend. Either Johnston or Jackson will take his place.

On the positive side of things, starting receiver Steven Mitchell is also on track to start this weekend. He has missed two games with a groin injury after a reasonably bright start to the season.

However, it is not clear if another starter at receiver, Jalen Greene, will be cleared to play against the Beavers as he goes through concussion protocol. Linebacker Jordan Iosefa, who collided with Greene during warm ups ahead of the Washington State game, also suffered a concussion and remains in doubt.

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Defensive lineman Rasheem Green did not practice all week for the Trojans either because of an ankle sprain. His status is up in the air as well.

A foot injury has put running back Stephen Carr in a boot. Although he was listed as “day-to-day” this week, it appears unlikely he will see the field on Saturday.

Meanwhile, outside linebacker Porter Gustin, tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe and defensive lineman Marlon Tuipulotu will remain out this weekend. Gustin’s toe and bicep injury will likely keep him sidelined for another week or two. Imatorbhebhe is targeted to return ahead of the Notre Dame Game. And Tuipulotu will miss at least another week with a back problem.

Oregon State Injury Report:

Out for season: CB Dwayne Williams (knee)
Out: CB Xavier Crawford (back), S Drew Kell (undisclosed), QB Jake Luton (back), K Zach Standish (undisclosed), LB Shemiah Unutoa-Whitson (undisclosed)
Doubtful: LB Kesi Ah-Hoy (undisclosed), CB Jay Irvine (undisclosed), CB Jaydon Grant (undisclosed), RB Ryan Nall (ankle)
Probable: RB Artavis Pierce (shoulder), DT Paisa Savea (undisclosed), TE Noah Togiai (ankle)

USC’s injury list is impressively long, but Oregon State’s is not too far behind.

Starting quarterback Jake Luton suffered a dangerous thoracic spine fracture during the Beavers’ loss to Washington State and is out indefinitely. As a result, former starter Darell Garretson has returned to the lineup.

Oregon State’s star running back Ryan Nall is also in doubt for the weekend. An ankle injury knocked Nall out of last week’s contest against Washington and he has been unable to practice this week. Though head coach Gary Anderson would not rule him out, it is not looking good for the Beaver’s leading rusher.

The OSU secondary is also in some trouble with both starting cornerbacks from the start of the season unavailable. Dwayne Williams injured his knee against Minnesota and will not feature again for the Beavers this season. Across from him Xavier Crawford is dealing with a back injury which could also keep him out for an extended period.

If that wasn’t bad enough, backup cornerback Jay Irvine left the Washington game with an undisclosed injury and is now officially listed as doubtful. Fellow cornerback Jaydon Grant also appears unlikely to play.

Some positives for the Beavers include the availability of backup running back Artavis Pierce, who is Oregon State’s second-leading rusher this year, and tight end Noah Togiai, who is the second-leading receiver.

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