USC Injury Update: Trojans' availability against Rutgers
The Big Ten injury report is out as the USC Trojans (3-4, 1-4) are set to kick off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-3, 1-3). Here’s a look at the players listed as out and questionable and what it means for both programs.
USC Availability Report
Out
OT Micah Banuelos
OL Gino Quinones
WR Charles Ross
Questionable
CB Jacobe Covington
CB Jaylin Smith
NB Greedy Vance Jr.
S Kamari Ramsey
OG Emmanuel Pregnon
Thoughts on players listed
Rutgers doesn’t bring a great passing game into this one but USC might be missing four starters in the secondary with Covington, Smith, Vance and Ramsey all questionable. Covington hasn’t played since suffering an injury on punt coverage late in the Minnesota game. Smith missed the Utah State game earlier this season but was on the field for the final defensive play against Maryland. Vance appeared to take a knee to the back while making a tackle against Maryland and was in and out of the rest of that game. Ramsey’s final play against Maryland was his fourth-down sack. Earlier in the game, he hesitated getting up after making a tackle and was shaking his arm out. Ramsey wasn’t on the field for any of Maryland’s final offensive drive. Ramsey has been USC’s best defensive player since the Trojans lost linebacker Eric Gentry to injury earlier in the season.
Prophet Brown stands to play plenty today if the Trojans want to work him at nickel and he could play outside corner as well. With the potent Rutgers running game, it wouldn’t be surprising if USC went with Anthony Beavers Jr. as a third linebacker rather than a nickel.
At cornerback, John Humphrey and DeCarlos Nicholson would likely fill in as starters if Smith and Covington can’t go. Beyond those veterans, the Trojans could be down to true freshmen cornerbacks in Marcelles Williams and Braylon Conley.
Pregnon went down with what appeared to be a leg injury on the second snap of the game against Maryland but he returned on the next offensive series. If he’s unable to go, Amos Talalele — who replaced him for five snaps against the Terps — would be up next.
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Rutgers Availability Report
Out
LB Mohamed Toure (Season)
WR Ian Strong
TE Kenny Fletcher (Season)
DL Wesley Bailey
RB Samuel Brown V (Season)
OL Emir Stinette
OL Bryan Felter (Season)
TE Victor Konopka (Season)
Questionable
DB Eric Rogers
RB Kyle Monangai
CB Robert Longerbeam
DB Flip Dixon
TE Logan Blake
LB Tyreen Powell
OL Shedrick Rhodes
DE Aaron Lewis
Strong is Rutgers’ No. 2 receiver this season with 16 catches for 267 yards and a touchdown. The “questionable” list looks like it does last week but Monangai, Longerbeam and Powell all played against UCLA. Missing Lewis would be a big hit once again to the Scarlet Knights’ defensive line. He’s regularly been Rutgers’ defensive defensive end. He was listed as out last week against UCLA and is questionable tonight.
Monangai is clearly the top name to watch here. The running back is the key for the Rutgers offense and has 845 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground this year.
