USC Injury Report: Daniel Imatorbhebhe ahead of schedule (10/11)

Tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe is “ahead of schedule” in his bid to return from a hip flexor problem. Here’s the USC injury report for Oct. 11.

Weeks after he was shut down to get a hip flexor injury fully healed, tight end Daniel Imatorbhehe is on the brink of a return for USC.

“He’s a little bit ahead of schedule,” head coach Clay Helton said after practice on Wednesday.

Imatorbhebhe is “feeling good right now,” according to Helton. Feeling good is a long time coming for the tight end, who has not played since the first week of the season.

The hip flexor injury was sustained over the summer and limited Imatorbhebhe throughout fall camp. Due to the nagging nature of the injury, USC’s staff opted to hold the redshirt freshman out of action until he could return 100 percent.

Imatorbhebhe had to work his way up from running on an underwater treadmill, to an AlterG treadmill, to running out on the field last week. This week, he has participated in practice on a limited basis, but saw action during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 on Wednesday.

Helton would not rule out a return this weekend.

“I’m going to listen to the doctors and to him,” Helton said, indicating that they would evaluate his ability to play on Thursday and Friday. “I know he’s really putting a lot of work into it right now. wants to play in this game.”

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), DL Marlon Tuipulotu (back), WR Keyshawn “Pie” Young (hamstring/redshirt)
• Out: RB Stephen Carr (foot), OLB Hunter Echols (hip), OLB Porter Gustin (toe/bicep), OT Nathan Smith (knee)
• Questionable: DL Malik Dorton (knee), OL Chuma Edoga (ankle), DL Josh Fatu (knee), DL Rasheem Green (ankle), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (hip), Damon Johnson (back/concussion)
• Probable: WR Deontay Burnett (toe), WR Jalen Greene (concussion), LB Jordan Iosefa (concussion)

Wednesday also heralded the return of right tackle Chuma Edoga, who missed last week’s win over Oregon State due to an ankle sprain suffered early in USC’s loss to Washington State.

Edoga suited up and was a limited participant on Wednesday, doing better than expected on his injured ankle, according to Helton.

It is still unclear if Edoga will be able to play on Saturday. If he doesn’t, Clayton Johnston is once more slated to start.

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At wide receiver, the Trojans were light one player on Wednesday as Deontay Burnett sat out.

The good news is, the junior was held in order to keep him fresh for the weekend. He has contended with a sore toe and shoulder but appears likely to play.

USC received another health boost as receiver Jalen Greene and linebacker Jordan Iosefa were cleared from concussion protocol and took part in practice.

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On the defensive line, Rasheem Green, Josh Fatu and Malik Dorton were all limited again in practice, thrusting Liam Jimmons and Brandon Pili into the front line. However, it appears that the three first teamers are simply being protected from aggravating injuries this week.