USC Football Injury Report: Toa Lobendahn limited for Spring Camp (3/20)

Center Toa Lobendahn will be limited for the rest of USC Football Spring Camp as a precaution while other Trojans are returning to action.

USC Football’s Spring Break brought positive developments for a number of injured Trojans, but not all of them unfortunately.

On Tuesday, when the Trojans returned for Day 4 of Spring Camp, defensive backs Greg Johnson, Jonathan Lockett and Isaiah Pola-Mao were suited up and cleared for contact, bolstering USC’s secondary numbers. The trio were limited during Week 1 while recovering from last year’s season-ending injuries.

Running back Vavae Malepeai, who tweaked his hamstring at the start of camp, was also back and eased into action while wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe was a full participant.

However, center Toa Lobendahn did not make a return as hinted at before the break. Considering his injury history with multiple knee injuries, the redshirt senior is now slated to sit out team activities this spring.

USC Football Injury Report:

• Out for spring: LB Oluwole Betiku (hip), RB Stephen Carr (back), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (hip), DL Marlon Tuipulotu (back)
• Out: TE Austin Applebee (undisclosed), OL Jacob Daniel (undisclosed), DL Jacob Lichtenstein (undisclosed), OL Frank Martin (knee)
• Limited: LB Tayler Katoa (knee), OL Toa Lobendahn (knee), RB Vavae Malepeai (hamstring),

The decision to limit Lobendahn this spring was mutual between the player and coaches. It was made easier since Lobendahn has a class conflict with USC’s Tuesday and Thursday practices. He would be missing the first hour of practice either way.

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Lobendahn will do individual drills and snap for 7-on-7, but that will be the scope of his work on Howard Jones Field until Fall Camp.

Lobendahn’s absence has thrust redshirt freshman Brett Neilon into the first team at center. He took No. 1 reps during the first week of camp and figures to hold that role with true freshman Justin Dedich taking second team reps.

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Chemistry along the offensive line will no doubt be affected without Lobendahn available, but at least the Trojans can take heart in extra development opportunities for Neilon and Dedich this spring.

Luckily for the Trojans, there were no new injuries to report from Tuesday as USC gears up for their first full pads practices on Thursday and Friday.