Thought to be gaining a slight edge on the starting running back job, USC junior Curtis McNeal has endured a setback that could put him back in the muddled pack of running backs trying to emerge for second-year coach Lane Kiffin.
The LA Times writes that McNeal suffered a knee injury during Sunday’s practice on just his third carry. He was helped off the field and attended to by team trainers. The status of the injury is not yet known, but it could very well dampen McNeal’s push to grab the starting job for the Trojans.
Knucklehead Dillon Baxter, on the other hand, had 16 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown catch in what was arguably his best scrimmage since enrolling at USC. The running back pool is deep for the Trojans at this point. Who will emerge by the time the Trojans take on Minnesota at the beginning of the season is still to be seen.