USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 229 on fallout from the ASU game by Reign of Troy Staff

Outside linebacker Porter Gustin has been ruled out for the Arizona game because of a setback with his injured toe. Here’s the USC injury report for Oct. 31.

USC tapped into some Halloween horror on Tuesday with the news that starting predator linebacker Porter Gustin will not play this weekend against Arizona.

Gustin had missed five weeks of action before returning for a limited number of snaps in USC’s win over ASU this past weekend. The linebacker greatly boosted the Trojan front line, but he appeared after the game with his foot back in a walking boot. Though he said he felt good at the time, his presence will be missed again on doctors orders.

There is no timetable for his return either.

“We’ll take it week by week but until [the doctors] say, he’s cleared, he’s cleared,” head coach Clay Helton said.

Last week, inside linebacker Jordan Iosefa was expected to take over at the predator spot due to Christian Rector’s hand injury, which will likely keep him out another week. On Tuesday, it was once again Iosefa who stood in for Gustin and Rector.

USC Injury Report:

Out for season: DL Kenny Bigelow (retirement), K Michael Brown (knee), CB Greg Johnson (shoulder), LB Tayler Katoa (knee), CB Jonathan Lockett (hip), S Isaiah Pola-Mao (shoulder), OL Viane Talamaivao (pectoral), DL Marlon Tuipulotu (back), WR Keyshawn “Pie” Young (hamstring/redshirt)

DL Kenny Bigelow (retirement), K Michael Brown (knee), CB Greg Johnson (shoulder), LB Tayler Katoa (knee), CB Jonathan Lockett (hip), S Isaiah Pola-Mao (shoulder), OL Viane Talamaivao (pectoral), DL Marlon Tuipulotu (back), WR Keyshawn “Pie” Young (hamstring/redshirt) Out: OLB Hunter Echols (hip), TE Josh Falo (foot), OLB Porter Gustin (toe), DL Christian Rector (hand), OT Nathan Smith (knee), RB James Toland (shoulder)

OLB Hunter Echols (hip), TE Josh Falo (foot), OLB Porter Gustin (toe), DL Christian Rector (hand), OT Nathan Smith (knee), RB James Toland (shoulder) Questionable: RB Vavae Malepeai (knee), CB Iman Marshall (knee),

RB Vavae Malepeai (knee), CB Iman Marshall (knee), Probable: RB Stephen Carr (foot), OL Chuma Edoga (ankle), DL Josh Fatu (concussion), WR Steven Mitchell (shoulder)

The Trojans did welcome back running back Stephen Carr, who impressed Helton with his showing. However, the true freshman who is returning from a weeks-long foot injury won’t be thrown back into full action just yet.

“It was good having him back, but we’ll see where he is by the end of the week and see how many reps he can get,” Helton said. “If he looks as good as he did today, obviously he’ll be playing in the game.

There was more good news for running back Vavae Malepeai, whose knee injury suffered against Arizona involved no structural damage. He is officially listed as day-to-day and his ability to play this weekend will come down to soreness.

Nose tacke Josh Fatu got in some practice time this week for the first time since suffering a concussion in a car accident two weeks ago. He played against ASU and should be in line to play this weekend.

The same cannot be said of cornerback Iman Marshall, who was able to begin moving around on Tuesday but did not practice.

Tight end Josh Falo and wide receiver Steven Mitchell also sat out Tuesday with a foot and shoulder injury respectively.

Right tackle Chuma Edoga’s injured ankle was tended to at the trainer’s table early in practice and he did not see action for the rest of the day.

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Freshman linebacker Tayler Katoa, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during spring camp, was out running with a brace on his knee for the first time this fall.