USC QB Kedon Slovis diagnosed with strained elbow

USC quarterback Kedon Slovis was knocked out of the Trojans’ 49-24 Holiday Bowl loss to Iowa with a strained elbow, which won’t require surgery.

After suffering a spanking at the hands of Iowa, USC was in need of some good news on Saturday and they got it.

Freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis, who left the game with an injury, will not have to undergo surgery for what has been diagnosed as a “strained elbow.”

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The injury will require “treatment, rest and recovery” according to USC’s official Twitter account, but it now seems likely the elbow won’t trouble Slovis for long. That means he should be able to participate in Spring Camp as the Trojans prepare for the 2020 season.

Slovis exited the game at the worst possible moment for the Trojans. After recovering an onside kick after Stephen Carr punched in a two-yard touchdown, USC had good field position and the chance to take the lead, down just 28-24.

At that point, Slovis had completed 22-of-30 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns, showing exceptional touch on deep passes while commanding the Trojan offense well against a tough Iowa defense. After his departure, USC struggled to move the ball at all with Matt Fink at the helm and failed to score again.

USC was already facing the prospect of having limited numbers at quarterback going into Spring Camp in 2020. JT Daniels is not expected to return to action until the summer because of his season-ending knee injury. Meanwhile, Jack Sears opted to transfer from the program and Fink may still consider the prospect of a graduate transfer. If Slovis’ injury had been more serious, it could have seriously set back USC’s preparations.

Slovis finished his freshman season with 3,502 yards and 30 touchdowns, with a passer rating of 167.65.