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USC Football Fall Camp, Day 7-8: Marqise Lee Hurt, Update Expected Tonight

Jacob Freedman |
August 10, 2013 | 11:55 a.m. PDT

Senior Sports Editor

It was mostly drills for the Trojans Saturday morning. (Jacob Freedman/Neon Tommy,8/9/13).
It was mostly drills for the Trojans Saturday morning. (Jacob Freedman/Neon Tommy,8/9/13).
Staff Writer Evan Budrovich also contributed to this report.

Take a couple of deep breaths everyone, everything should be just fine. In USC's seventh practice of the fall on Friday, star wideout Marqise Lee was injured and left practice after catching a ball down the field from Cody Kessler. Lee appeared to land on his shoulder after being taken to the ground by cornerback Kevon Seymour. He left the field, but told Kessler among other players that he was "OK" when he left the field. Lee was not on the practice field for Saturday morning's practice, and an update on his status is expected following Saturday night's practice. 

"He fell over there, they took him in to check him out, and that's about all I know," said head coach Lane Kiffin. "I threw it over the top. He caught it and I didn't see the end of it, just that he got landed on," Kessler said. "When you see him (Lee) go down like that and see a trainer go over, you're obviously freaked out by that."

However, Kiffin did talk about protecting explosive offensive skill players, like Lee, from themselves. "You have guys like Marqise, when do they have small injuries, you have to be careful with them because they don't really understand how to manage themselves through those injuries," he said. "It's our job to manage those guys with what they do and what they can't." Kiffin's first part of that quote could be interpreted that Lee's injury is not serious, and that the 2012 Biletnikoff winner shouldn't miss the Trojans' season opener against Hawaii on August 29. In the post-practice session Friday, Kiffin also revealed that Darreus Rogers, who also shone Thursday, is third wideout now behind Lee and Nelson Agholor. "Rogers is playing really well," Kiffin said when asked about replacing Lee. "He'd have to step up and play. Next guys up."

Lee's last injury was after he hurt his knee shortly before USC played in the Sun Bowl last December. He played in the game, catching six passes for 41 yards in a 21-7 loss to Georgia Tech. USC's depth at wide receiver has been tested so far this fall. George Farmer was lost for the year with torn ligaments in his left knee during the spring, Steven Mitchell ended his freshman year early after incurring a similar injury during summer workouts, while De'Von Fluornoy has been in and out of practice this fall. 

SEE MORE: USC Football Fall Camp, Day 6: A Dark-Horse Wideout Emerges

Battling To Anchor The Line

Aundrey Walker returned to practice Saturday morning after missing a few days with an undisclosed injury. Walker had an up-and-down year in 2012, starting eight games at left tackle. He had a couple of missed assignments, notably against UCLA when he allowed Bruins linebacker Anthony Barr to sack and injure Matt Barkley. As Walker returns, though, he now is battling for his job. Redshirt freshman Chad Wheeler filled in for Walker this past week, and despite his lack of experience, Kiffin believes he will challenge Walker for the spot. "I do," Kiffin said on whether Wheeler will compete for the spot. "With what he's shown, I definitely think he can." The Trojans really missed Matt Kalil in 2012, and the new quarterback will need at least some semblance of security from one of these two if the Trojans are to find success in 2013. 

Quick Injury Hits

*After missing four days of practice, Su'a Cravens returned to action Saturday morning. The true freshman tore his meniscus in spring practice.

*Standout defensive linemen Leonard Williams is still not 100 percent. He participated in drills Saturday morning, but left Friday's practice and had some sort of clear tape on his right arm. He didn't participate in 11-on-11s Saturday morning.

Reach Senior Sports Editor Jacob Freedman here or follow him on Twitter.



 

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