Coach Clay Helton announced Wednesday that outside linebacker Porter Gustin will be sidelined 2-5 weeks for a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. Soures told us he is projected to miss 4-6 weeks, which would likely keep him out of two games and up to as many as four, assuming a normal recovery.
He’s scheduled to have surgery Thursday.
USC’s first four opponents: Sept. 1 vs. UNLV, Sept. 8 at Stanford, Sept 15 at Texas, Sept. 21 vs. Washington State.
One silver lining is USC is seemingly set up to deal with Gustin’s absence. Christian Rector excelled at Predator last season before breaking his hand, and Clancy Pendergast told me strong-side linebacker Jordan Iosefa, who has experience at Predator, can line up at any of the four linebacker spots. (He specifically said that Iosefa knows the defense as well as anyone on the team.) Freshman Kana’i Mauga has gotten reps at Predator as well recently and is quickly becoming a junior Iosefa in that he too can play multiple positions.
The D-line also has more options than it did in the past should Rector not line up at defensive end. Jay Tufele and Liam Jimmoms are both capable of playing inside and outside, while defensive tackles Brandon Pili and Marlon Tuipulotu are coming off their best practices in training camp. Caleb Tremblay appears to be emerging as another viable alternative at defensive end.
He’s scheduled to have surgery Thursday.
USC’s first four opponents: Sept. 1 vs. UNLV, Sept. 8 at Stanford, Sept 15 at Texas, Sept. 21 vs. Washington State.
One silver lining is USC is seemingly set up to deal with Gustin’s absence. Christian Rector excelled at Predator last season before breaking his hand, and Clancy Pendergast told me strong-side linebacker Jordan Iosefa, who has experience at Predator, can line up at any of the four linebacker spots. (He specifically said that Iosefa knows the defense as well as anyone on the team.) Freshman Kana’i Mauga has gotten reps at Predator as well recently and is quickly becoming a junior Iosefa in that he too can play multiple positions.
The D-line also has more options than it did in the past should Rector not line up at defensive end. Jay Tufele and Liam Jimmoms are both capable of playing inside and outside, while defensive tackles Brandon Pili and Marlon Tuipulotu are coming off their best practices in training camp. Caleb Tremblay appears to be emerging as another viable alternative at defensive end.
