USC vs. Cal injury report: Iman Marshall gametime decision

Cornerback Iman Marshall is a gametime decision for the Trojans with an ankle injury hampering him throughout the week. Here’s the injury report for USC vs. Cal.

Trojans Favored. USC vs. Cal

USC vs. Cal will not feature two key playmakers for the Trojans, but there is hope of a critical defensive starter being able to take part.

On Thursday, head coach Clay Helton revealed that senior cornerback Iman Marshall was able to practice after sitting out Tuesday and Wednesday’s outings with an ankle sprain. As a result, he may be able to figure in Saturday’s Homecoming matchup.

“We’ll see how much soreness he has after a good practice today and then make a gametime decision,” Helton said.

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There was more good news at cornerback where true freshman Olaijah Griffin made it through the full week of practice, raising hope of his return from a shoulder injury. He too is a gametime decision, but Helton described him as “really close to playing.”

That should ease concerns for the secondary, which faced the prospect of facing the Bears with just one healthy scholarship cornerback. Backup Greg Johnson suffered a shoulder injury against Oregon State and will miss this week, potentially getting back on the field next week.

More help could be on the way as freshman Isaac Taylor-Stuart was back in pads this week, though his injured foot remained heavily wrapped, while utility defensive back Chase Williams was also practicing after missing two weeks with a hyper-extended knee.

On offense, the positives to glean through the week were less. Wide receiver Michael Pittman is out until next week at the earliest with a shoulder bruise. Running back Stephen Carr faces an even longer absence with a high ankle sprain.

Right guard Chuma Edoga missed some practice time this week with a knee issue, but he figures to start on Saturday still.

In addition to other long term injuries, the Trojans are likely to be without offensive lineman Clayton Bradley and outside linebacker Juliano Falaniko, who has a concussion.

USC Injury Report

Out for the season
- LB Porter Gustin (ankle)
- LB Tayler Katoa (LDS Mission)
- DB Isaiah Pola-Mao (shoulder)
- K Chase McGrath (knee)
Out
- QB Matt Fink (ribs)
- RB Stephen Carr (ankle)
- WR Randal Grimes (academics)
- WR Michael Pittman (shoulder)
- TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (quad)
- OL Clayton Bradley (undisclosed)
- DL Caleb Trembaly (knee)
- LB Oluwole Betiku (hip)
- LB Juliano Falaniko (concussion)
- LB Solomon Tuliaupupu (foot)
- DB Talanoa Hufanga (back)
- DB Greg Johnson (shoulder)
Questionable
- DB Isaac Taylor-Stuart (ankle)
- DB Chase Williams (knee)
Probable
- OL Chuma Edoga (knee)
- LB John Houston (annkle)
- DB Olaijah Griffin (shoulder)
- DB Iman Marshall (ankle)

Cal Injury Report

Out for the season
- RB Johnny Adams Jr. (lower body)
- RB Derrick Clark (lower body)
- OL Henry Bazakas (lower body)
- OL Michael Saffell (leg)
- LB Gerran Brown (lower body)
- LB Cameron Goode (leg)
Questionable
- QB Ross Bowers (thumb)
- WR Jordan Duncan (hand)
- WR Kanawai Noa (undisclosed)
- WR Brandon Singleton (undisclosed)
- LB Derron Brown (personal)

Cal has had some trouble at wide receiver this season, losing the likes of Demetris Robertson, Melquise Stovall and Taariq Johnson to transfer. Now they may be without second-leading receiver Kanawai Noa, who did not travel to Washington State last week after taking a hit to his shoulder the week before against Washington.

That’s on top of working without juniors Duncan Jordan and Brandon Singleton. The former, a starter, has missed four games while the latter hasn’t featured since the middle of September.

Meanwhile, at quarterback Ross Bowers, who played against the Trojans last season, has a thumb injury and does not appear on the Cal depth chart as an available player.

There have been more troubles on the offensive line where starting right guard Michael Saffell was announced as out for the season three weeks ago. Backup left tackle Henry Bazakas is also out for the season.

Senior linebacker Derron Brown remains out with an undisclosed personal issue.

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