USC Injury Report: Christian Rector could play vs. Colorado (11/8)

Outside linebacker Christian Rector has a chance to play against Colorado on Saturday. Here’s the USC injury report for November 8.

USC is waiting for some good news at the outside linebacker position, where Christian Rector and Uchenna Nwosu could be in line to play this weekend despite missing practice on Wednesday.

Nwosu suffered an ankle injury against Arizona and has been held for the week of practice so far. However, Helton reported after practice on Wednesday that his ankle is “feeling a lot better.” More on his status will be learned on Thursday.

It’s a similar wait-and-see situation for Rector, who was able to work with a trainer on Wednesday with his hand still in a wrap as he recovered from surgery.

“He’s not experiencing any pain in the football movements he’s doing right now,” Helton said. “It’s just a matter whether you club it up or not and go.”

If Nwosu and Rector can’t go because of their injuries, Jordan Iosefa and Oluwole Betiku are in line to take their place in the lineup. Connor Murphy would also be considered an option in that position if not for the hip pointer which kept him out again on Wednesday.

USC Injury Report:

Out for season: DL Kenny Bigelow (retirement), 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: OLB Hunter Echols (hip), OT Nathan Smith (knee), RB James Toland (shoulder)
Doubtful: OLB Porter Gustin (toe)
Questionable: OLB Juliano Falaniko (thigh), OL Toa Lobendahn (knee), CB Iman Marshall (knee), OLB Connor Murphy (hip), OLB Uchenna Nwosu (ankle), TE Tyler Petite (shoulder), DL Christian Rector (hand)
Probable: RB Stephen Carr (foot), OL Chuma Edoga (ankle), TE Josh Falo (foot), DL Rasheem Green (shoulder), RB Vavae Malepeai (knee), K Chase McGrath (groin)

No news was good news in general for the Trojans as they progressed to Wednesday without any major injury updates. And the players Helton did update were largely for positive reasons.

Running back Vavae Malepeai was able to practice again on Wednesday along with tight end Josh Falo. Helton expects both to help the Trojans on Saturday after a week of solid practice action.

Malepeai missed the Arizona game with a knee injury. Falo has missed too weeks with a foot issue.

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On top of that, cornerback Iman Marshall got through another day of practice working with the second team as he moves towards a return from an MCL sprain. Outside linebacker Juliano Falaniko, who has a thigh contusion, was also able to practice for a time, though he once again came out early.

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Still, the Trojans practiced without several starters, including defensive end Rasheem Green, left tackle Toa Lobendahn and tight end Tyler Petite.

Green was in pads, but relegated to working with a trainer alongside Rector while he deals with a shoulder injury.

Lobendahn had a sleeve on his knee and did not participate for the second day in a row. True freshman Austin Jackson took his place with the first team.

Petite, who hurt his shoulder against Arizona, was also out of pads on Wednesday. Daniel Imatorbhebhe took the majority of first team reps, supplemented by Falo and Erik Krommenhoek.

All three starters are currently listed as “day-to-day.”

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