A bad weekend got worse for USC on Sunday as head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed the Trojans had lost left tackle Chad Wheeler for the season to a torn ACL.
Sarkisian on Wheeler; ``What I’ve showed team today about Chad. He tore ACL and then played another 7-8 plays before he took himself out.’'
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) October 27, 2014
Wheeler tore his ACL in the third play of USC’s 24-21 loss to Utah.
A redshirt sophomore from Santa Monica, Wheeler has started his entire career on the left side for the Trojans, earning Third Team Freshman All-America honors from Athlon Sports a year ago.
Senior Aundrey Walker will take over at left tackle in Wheeler’s absence.
Sarkisian also revealed senior outside linebacker J.R. Tavai will be out “several weeks” with an unspecified injury.
USC (5-3, 4-2 Pac-12) visits Washington State on Saturday.