-
USC head coach Clay Helton said the bye week couldn't come at a better time, as he was able to hold a number of players to get healthy. Full injury report: RB Justin Davis (ankle), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (back), OL Jordan Simmons (knee tendonitis), S Leon McQuay III (hip, groin).
- With Steven Mitchell Jr. out for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL, Helton said that Deontay Burnett (pictured) will step into a starting role. Burnett has 23 receptions for 229 yards and 2 TD this season.
- Burnett said he's been in contact with Mitchell, who's in good spirits. "I told him that I'm gonna play for him," Burnett said of his teammate. "I told him every time I'm on the field, it's gonna be for him. He just told me to be who I am."
- Last year, Burnett was buried on the depth chart, but was able to get some extra reps during the bye week, which happened for some younger players today. Helton praised QB Matt Fink, WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, WR Velus Jones Jr., WR Trevon Sidney and WR Tyler Vaughns, who saw extra playing time during today's practice.
- "I look at those two groups there at the end in that last period, and you say, 'Gosh dang, there's the future of your football team,'" Helton said of the players who got extra opportunities today. "There's some talented young kids here, and this is quality reps for them to try to grow."
- In RB Justin Davis' absence, Ronald Jones II has seen the field a bit more as well. Jones had a slow start to the season, but earned the start against Arizona and rushed for 81 yards and a TD. Jones said one thing he's learned to do better as the year has gone on is "recognizing the blitzes and being able to pick it up to give the quarterback time to throw."
- Giving QB Sam Darnold time to throw has proven effective for the Trojans, as they've gone 3-1 with the redshirt freshman at the helm. Jones called Darnold "electrifying," adding that "that one play he had against Colorado, when the ball fumbled and he threw it back, it kind of reminded me of Johnny Manziel."
- Helton and his staff will spend Thursday and Friday recruiting before getting the team back in-house on Saturday to start preparation for the Thursday night game against Cal.
- Watch Helton's full press conference here:
