News updates from today's closed practice ...
JuJu Smith-Schuster did not attend practice because he's being fitted for a protective cast that he could potentially play in. It sounds like the window for him to play is more open than I first thought. Clay Helton said he'll meet with JuJu and team doctors and they'll collectively make a decision.
"We'll sit down and say, Where are you pain-wise?" Helton said. "Two, structurally, is there anything that can hurt him? Does he need another week? We'll listen to all perspectives and then make a decision. It could be all the way up until game day."
Leon McQuay strained a patella tendon while blocking a punt on Tuesday. Helton characterized him as questionable for Arizona. McQuay started vs. Cal and played nearly every snap.
Helton said Darreus Rogers (hamstring) and Cam Smith (hamstring) are game-time decisions. "I think both of them are going to attempt (to play)," Helton said. "With hamstrings, they're kind of a ticking time bomb. We're going to have to judge it on Saturday. I think it's hard for a wideout."
Rogers had a strong practice Tuesday and said he felt "awesome" afterward. His hamstring apparently flared up Wednesday. You'll remember, he battled a hamstring injury throughout last season, which really limited his effectiveness.
Zach Banner returned to practice after missing a day because of a death in his family.
Helton said Isaac Whitney (collarbone) is effectually out for the remainder of the regular season. He's having an X-ray next week and isn't likely to be cleared before Dec. 1. He is not having surgery.
Helton said Tre Madden (knee) was involved in contact drills today. Helton is managing Madden's workload very carefully this late in the season because of his tender knee and his past injuries.
Helton said USC's "blueprint" to beating Arizona is being able to run the ball against a loaded box, making plays downfield in the passing game and stopping the run.
Matt Barkley attended practice. It's interesting that so many alumni have rallied around the team in recent weeks. We didn't see much of that over the previous 14 months. Similar to parents being banned from practice, you get the impression that maybe they weren't always welcome.
JuJu Smith-Schuster did not attend practice because he's being fitted for a protective cast that he could potentially play in. It sounds like the window for him to play is more open than I first thought. Clay Helton said he'll meet with JuJu and team doctors and they'll collectively make a decision.
"We'll sit down and say, Where are you pain-wise?" Helton said. "Two, structurally, is there anything that can hurt him? Does he need another week? We'll listen to all perspectives and then make a decision. It could be all the way up until game day."
Leon McQuay strained a patella tendon while blocking a punt on Tuesday. Helton characterized him as questionable for Arizona. McQuay started vs. Cal and played nearly every snap.
Helton said Darreus Rogers (hamstring) and Cam Smith (hamstring) are game-time decisions. "I think both of them are going to attempt (to play)," Helton said. "With hamstrings, they're kind of a ticking time bomb. We're going to have to judge it on Saturday. I think it's hard for a wideout."
Rogers had a strong practice Tuesday and said he felt "awesome" afterward. His hamstring apparently flared up Wednesday. You'll remember, he battled a hamstring injury throughout last season, which really limited his effectiveness.
Zach Banner returned to practice after missing a day because of a death in his family.
Helton said Isaac Whitney (collarbone) is effectually out for the remainder of the regular season. He's having an X-ray next week and isn't likely to be cleared before Dec. 1. He is not having surgery.
Helton said Tre Madden (knee) was involved in contact drills today. Helton is managing Madden's workload very carefully this late in the season because of his tender knee and his past injuries.
Helton said USC's "blueprint" to beating Arizona is being able to run the ball against a loaded box, making plays downfield in the passing game and stopping the run.
Matt Barkley attended practice. It's interesting that so many alumni have rallied around the team in recent weeks. We didn't see much of that over the previous 14 months. Similar to parents being banned from practice, you get the impression that maybe they weren't always welcome.
