USC vs. Colorado Injury Report: Key starters in line to play

A number of Trojan starters are in line to play despite a week of worry. Here’s the injury report ahead of USC vs. Colorado.

For once USC’s injury luck appears to be looking up as the Trojans’ matchup with Colorado approaches.

Head coach Clay Helton reported good news for linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, left tackle Toa Lobendahn, tight end Tyler Petite and defensive end Christian Rector after practice on Tuesday.

Rector, who has missed two games with a broken hand, was back on the practice field with a club on his hand. The hand has been medically cleared by USC’s doctors, but he is a gametime decision for Saturday dependent on his pain levels.

“If he feels uncomfortable or doesn’t feel confident, then I’m not going to put him out there,” Helton said. “I’d rather lose a thousand games than to ever put a kid in a bad position.”

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), CB Iman Marshall (knee), OLB Connor Murphy (hip), DL Christian Rector (hand)
Probable: RB Stephen Carr (foot), OL Chuma Edoga (ankle), TE Josh Falo (foot), DL Rasheem Green (shoulder), OL Toa Lobendahn (knee), RB Vavae Malepeai (knee), K Chase McGrath (groin), OLB Uchenna Nwosu (ankle), TE Tyler Petite (shoulder)

Along with Rector’s return, the Trojans appear likely to have Nwosu at their disposal against Colorado. The linebacker had been held out of practice earlier this week with an injured ankle, but he was back on the practice field on Thursday.

Lobendahn is also slated to suit up for USC on Saturday despite missing most of the week with a knee problem. He was limited at practice, Helton said, but the head coach expects him to be ready to go in Boulder.

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It’s a similar story for Petite, who practiced on Thursday and looks “positive” for Saturday, according to Helton.

Cornerback Iman Marshall was able to practice all week, running with the second team. His role against Colorado is likely to be limited, however. Helton said he could see some reps to help the Trojans but it appears unlikely he will start.

Colorado Injury Report:

Out for season: TE Dylan Keeney (back), OL Tim Lynott (leg), OL Jacob Moretti (ankle), OL Grant Polley (knee), DB Jaisen Sanchez (shoulder)
Questionable: TE Tim Coleman (foot), DB Ryan Moeller (leg), DB Isaiah Oliver (leg)

Colorado suffered a major loss last week, not just in the scoreline against Arizona State. Offensive lineman Tim Lynott Jr. tore his Achilles’ tendon and will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery.

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Lynott was a Freshman All-American and has started 23 games in total for the Buffaloes. He had taken over the starting center job from Jonathan Huckins, who is the likely candidate to replace him on Saturday.

The Buffaloes may also be without another key starter with cornerback Isaiah Oliver still in doubt for the weekend. Oliver has missed two weeks with a leg injury, but was able to get back on the practice field this week, per BuffZone.com. He is officially a gametime decision.

Safety Ryan Moeller was injured last week while linebacker Tim Coleman is dealing with an ankle injury. The two are day-to-day.