For the first time since USC opened summer camp earlier this month, Marc Tyler practiced with his Trojan teammates ahead of the start of the 2011 season.
That doesn’t mean, though, that the running back is that much closer to seeing any action in a meaningful setting. Well, at least his coach doesn’t want you thinking that just yet.
Tyler was suspended for at least USC’s season opener due to off-field indiscretions the past few months, as well as being kept away from all team-related activities. The senior returned today to work with the scout team, but head coach Lane Kiffin warned not to read too much into the development.
“It’s the next step in the process [of] Marc hopefully coming back,” Kiffin said. “This isn’t a major step. He’s not cleared for the second game. This is just something that we had in place as he goes through this process.”
Kiffin also made it clear that the status of USC’s leading rusher last season beyond the suspension for the opener is still to be determined.
In Tyler’s absence, redshirt junior Curtis McNeal has opened a slim lead for the starting job. Maybe.