Starting free safety and senior captain Marvell Tell is out Saturday against Arizona State because of a neck injury, causing a lineup shuffle for USC, per sources. Senior Ajene Harris is expected to slide back from nickel to free safety alongside Talanoa Hufanga, while veteran Jonathan Lockett will fill in for Harris.
Tell is not dressed for pregame warmups and has officially been ruled out.
It will be Harris' first start and extended appearance at safety, a spot he's recently been taking reps at in practice. Lockett has been used sparingly this season but was the primary starter at nickel in 2016 before being sidelined by injury.
Tell walked away from last week's loss to Utah with what Clay Helton vaguely described as "bumps and bruises," though he received attention from trainers to his neck and arm. The three-year starter was limited all week in practice, as Harris spent a significant portion of time working at safety.
USC was already preparing to be without middle linebacker Cam Smith (knee, hamstring). Cornerback Olaijah Griffin (shoulder) is also still out.
Tell is not dressed for pregame warmups and has officially been ruled out.
It will be Harris' first start and extended appearance at safety, a spot he's recently been taking reps at in practice. Lockett has been used sparingly this season but was the primary starter at nickel in 2016 before being sidelined by injury.
Tell walked away from last week's loss to Utah with what Clay Helton vaguely described as "bumps and bruises," though he received attention from trainers to his neck and arm. The three-year starter was limited all week in practice, as Harris spent a significant portion of time working at safety.
USC was already preparing to be without middle linebacker Cam Smith (knee, hamstring). Cornerback Olaijah Griffin (shoulder) is also still out.
