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The last thing USC needs in Year Two of the Lane Kiffin regime is another injury, even five months ahead of the start of the season. So, of course, that’s exactly the hand that’s been dealt to the Trojans’ depth chart.
Starting running back Marc Tyler suffered a hamstring injury during the first day of spring practice Tuesday and was sidelined for the remainder of the session. While ESPNLosAngeles.com wrote that the senior “could be out for an extended period of time”, Kiffin is taking a wait-and-see approach as to the extent of the injury and what, if any, time it may cost him going forward this spring.
“His hamstring bothered him late in practice,” Kiffin said after the practice session. “He just pulled his hamstring. We don’t know how severe it is yet.”
Last season, Tyler led the Trojans with 913 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Tyler’s injury is the latest to slam headfirst into a depleted roster. The Orange County Register reported that more than a dozen Trojans are expected to miss all or part of spring practice due to medical issues. Kiffin adjusted that number even higher after the practice, saying that “the scary thing is, we’re 19 short and we just started.”
The offensive line, for example, was able to field just six scholarship players according to the Los Angeles Daily News. Such numbers forced Kiffin to mix full-contact 11-on-11 drills with non-contact 7-on-7 drills.
“Usually you’re short at the end of spring. Hopefully we don’t add to that list, and possibly get some guys back,” the coach said.
One of the players who likely won’t be coming back in the near future is defensive lineman Armond Armstead. The starting end was hospitalized earlier this month with chest pains and has yet to be cleared to resume football activities. While Armstead says he’s feeling better, he’s still concerned about the longterm damage the virus that forced an extended hospital stay may have caused.
“Yeah, of course, because it’s chest-related,” the senior said. “But I’m just being very careful and hoping for the best. You can’t really say what it is until the doctors tell you what’s going on. I don’t even know what’s going on yet.”
Armstead said he’s scheduled to meet with doctors again April 1.