USC vs. Utah Injury Report: Daniel Imatorbhebhe to contribute (10/12)

Daniel Imatorbhebhe is expected to contribute for the Trojans while Ute quarterback Tyler Huntley is still in question. Here’s the injury report ahead of USC vs. Utah.

It was mostly good injury news for the Trojans as USC vs. Utah approaches, with Daniel Imatorbhebhe, Chuma Edoga and Deontay Burnett all expected to contribute on Saturday.

Imatorbhebhe’s progress is the most surprising as his original target date for a return to action was next week.

“I don’t know if he can go a full game but I’m anticipating him contributing in some way this week,” Helton said of his playmaking tight end on Thursday.

The redshirt sophomore has been out since Week 1 with a hip flexor injury which dates back to the summer.

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: Damon Johnson (back/concussion)
Probable: WR Deontay Burnett (toe), DL Malik Dorton (knee), OL Chuma Edoga (ankle), DL Josh Fatu (knee), DL Rasheem Green (ankle), WR Jalen Greene (concussion), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (hip), LB Jordan Iosefa (concussion)

Helton also had positive news for right tackle Chuma Edoga who practiced again on Thursday on a sprained ankle which kept him out against Oregon State. He has a “very good chance” of playing for the Trojans this weekend, the head coach said.

At receiver, Deontay Burnett was once again held on Thursday, but Helton again said the rest was aimed at keeping the junior fresh as he works through shoulder and toe injuries.

“You could cut a leg off and he would still play,” Helton said.

There are signs of renewed health elsewhere across USC’s lineup as receiver Jalen Greene and linebacker Jordan Iosefa returned from concussion protocol this week.

Defensive linemen Rasheem Green, Malik Dorton and Josh Fatu were limited this week because of an ankle sprain and two knee injuries respectively, but there are no indications that the trio will miss out.

Running back Stephen Carr and outside linebacker Porter Gustin will, however, miss another game. Carr has a foot injury while Gustin remains out with a broken toe and torn bicep.

The two could be back as early as next week.

Utah Injury Report:

Out for season: N/A
Out: RB Armand Shyne (arm/redshirt)
Questionable: DL Kylie Fitts (leg), QB Tyler Huntley (shoulder)
Probable: DL Bradlee Anae (undisclosed)

Utah’s Kyle Whittingham does not share injury news unless it involves a player who has been ruled out for the season, so the full extent of the Ute’s injury situation is impossible to know.

At the very least, Utah has been able to use a mostly consistent lineup of starters this season, a particular advantage they have over USC on the offensive line.

The two positions with any question marks hanging over them going into Saturday’s game are at quarterback, no small concern, and defensive end.

Starting quarterback Tyler Huntley is in doubt for Saturday after missing last week’s loss to Stanford with an apparent shoulder injury, which he suffered against Arizona the week before.

More from Reign of Troy

Huntley was listed as day-to-day this week by Whittingham, per Dirk Facer of the Deseret News.

Former starter, and USC slayer, Troy Williams took over for Huntley last week and is the favorite to replace him again despite throwing two interceptions in his start. Still, Whittingham insisted that fellow backup Cooper Bateman was also in contention to win the starting job.

Besides the quarterback, the Utes went into the Stanford game without both starting ends Kylie Fitts and Bradlee Anae.

The former may miss another week, but the latter did see time in the second half. Utah’s solution to their problem was to play four defensive tackles, Filipo Mokofisi, Lowell Lotulelei, Leki Fotu and John Penisini.

They could do they same again this week.

Home/USC FOOTBALL NEWS