So, what do you want first, the good or the bad? The good? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
After many months and myriad tests connected to chest pains he began suffering in March, defensive end Armond Armstead is on the verge of receiving total clearance from USC’s medical staff. The Los Angeles Daily News reports that Armstead is expected to be cleared at some point next week, just in time for the season opener against Minnesota a week from yesterday.
Armstead has been limited to individual drills since being given partial clearance earlier this month. Suffice to say, the coaching staff would welcome the senior’s full return.
“It gives us a guy that can play inside and outside,” head coach Lane Kiffin said. “He would put us over the top in depth and give us a big security blanket.”
On the not-so-good front, however, is Chris Galippo (pictured). The starting middle linebacker suffered a shoulder injury two weeks ago and has been very limited in practice since. He is unofficially listed as questionable for the opener, and Kiffin said the senior would need to practice in the week leading up to the Gophers game in order to play.
“He’s going to have to practice and be able to show us that he can go out there and play,” the coach said. “It would be scary to put him out there having not done anything for a couple weeks. That’s why we’re really focused on getting him healthy.”
If Galippo is unable to go, true freshman Lamar Dawson is expected to get the start.