Senior outside linebacker Porter Gustin was carted off the field after suffering a left knee injury in Tuesday's practice. He'll have an MRI tonight. Coach Clay Helton said his knee seemed stable and noted Gustin wasn't in serious pain but that his knee "felt funny to him."
USC was in the midst of an 11-on-11 period when Gustin limped off from an apparent non-contact injury, the veteran abstaining from putting any weight on the injured knee.
"Let me wait to get the MRI before I start guessing on what it is," Helton said. "(It's) very tough. You're talking about one of the leaders of your football team and a great player. You catch your breath and say a prayer for him and quick health, and it not be too serious. I don't know if there's anybody that's worked harder to be ready for this season on our football team. I'm hoping God hears those prayers and he's ready to go when he's back 100 percent. ...
"If anything's off with Porter, anytime you have that fine an athlete, and something feels a little funny, obviously you want to know what it is. We're taking every precaution to see what it's going to be."
USC, which already had outside linebacker Jordan Iosefa spotting an injured Cam Smith at middle linebacker, had defensive end Christian Rector move outside and occupy Gustin's place at Predator. Kana'i Mauga assumed the bulk of first-team reps at strong-side linebacker.
USC was in the midst of an 11-on-11 period when Gustin limped off from an apparent non-contact injury, the veteran abstaining from putting any weight on the injured knee.
"Let me wait to get the MRI before I start guessing on what it is," Helton said. "(It's) very tough. You're talking about one of the leaders of your football team and a great player. You catch your breath and say a prayer for him and quick health, and it not be too serious. I don't know if there's anybody that's worked harder to be ready for this season on our football team. I'm hoping God hears those prayers and he's ready to go when he's back 100 percent. ...
"If anything's off with Porter, anytime you have that fine an athlete, and something feels a little funny, obviously you want to know what it is. We're taking every precaution to see what it's going to be."
USC, which already had outside linebacker Jordan Iosefa spotting an injured Cam Smith at middle linebacker, had defensive end Christian Rector move outside and occupy Gustin's place at Predator. Kana'i Mauga assumed the bulk of first-team reps at strong-side linebacker.
