UPDATED 3:05 p.m. ET: The worst fears regarding USC running back Tre Madden have unfortunately come to fruition.
Already dealing with depth issues in the backfield -- the primary reason for Madden’s switch to the position from linebacker -- the Trojans will now be down another RB for 2012. Via their Twitter account, the school confirmed this afternoon that Madden tore a ligament in his left knee during yesterday’s practice. He will undergo surgery and miss the 2012 season.
Just a crushing blow to USC.
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Moving from linebacker to running back to help with depth, Tre Madden was quickly becoming one of the hot storylines for USC this spring.
That hype may have just cooled a little. Or a lot.
As if USC needed any more injuries, Madden sustained a bizarre left knee injury during practice on Thursday when the sophomore fell to the ground without being touched. He was assisted off the field and taken to the locker room after practice.
So far, there hasn’t been any official word on the extent of Madden’s injury, but suffice to say, the mood was somber after practice.
“There’s that concern any time with knees, where guys can’t really walk afterward,” Lane Kiffin said. “We’ll find out.”