USC head coach Clay Helton announced that junior OLB and starting Predator Porter Gustin underwent surgery for a small crack in his big toe Wednesday, doctors inserting two screws.

"We did that surgery early this morning, it went very successful. It's a very similar surgery to what Juju Smith-Schuster had if you remember a couple years ago in his hand that took a couple days to heal," said Helton. "It will be based on the doctor's opinion and the pain of Porter and what he goes through and what he can take, whether he can play or not....Porter is a tough kid, I don't know if it's too late for him to play in this game or not....it will be very close for this week, just being realistic."

Gustin's status is officially day-to-day; Helton added that he thought Gustin would be ready for next week against Cal.

The former WR Smith-Schuster ended up playing the week of his hand surgery (eight catches, 138 yards), but he also had two extra days to heal.

The 6-foot-5 Gustin has 11 tackles, one TFL and a sack in two games this season. Last season Gustin led the team with 13 TFL and recorded 5.5. sacks (12 careers sacks). Gustin has started the last 15 games for the Trojans defense.

The junior has played with broken bones before, more recently in his hand last season, waiting until after the Rose Bowl to get surgery.

If Gustin is out for Saturday, the 6-foot-7 sophomore Connor Murphy is expected to replace him in the lineup. Murphy would be making his first career start.

Gustin had an MRI on his shoulder on Sunday, which came back negative Helton said.

"His mindset is, he is one of the toughest kids in my 23 years I've ever been around," said Helton. "His mindset is, 'coach I want to play.' And like I told him we are never going to risk a kid's health to win a football game. If the doctor's clear him and say he's okay and he's able to handle pain and not hurt himself further, which they say with the screws, just like Juju's same kind of break, structurally it's going to be fine, it's whether the doctors say you know what he's good to go, no risk of infections...and he can handle the pain.

"He is Superman. We will see if it happens but I'm more optimistic for next week," he added.

- Starting right tackle Chuma Edoga (wrist) did not practice again but did cardio. Helton said they will wrap it up in a club and see how he functions with it Thursday.

- DT freshman Marlon Tuipulotu (knee) was held once again with that sprain. Helton said the timetable for his return is roughly one-to-three weeks. He is doubtful to play against Texas. The former five-star recruit was injured in the first quarter, making his first career start against Stanford.

- Starting WILL LB John Houston Jr. (stinger, neck) was held again and did light rehab.

- WR Michael Pittman (ankle) did the first half of practice before being shut down.

- DT Rasheem Green was pulled for a sore toe as a precaution and junior cornerback Biggie Marshall was limited today with a sore ankle.

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