The depth on USC’s defensive line took a blow on Tuesday. Kenny Bigelow, a redshirt freshman expected to compete for a starting job on the defensive line, suffered a torn ACL in his right knee. The injury will sideline Bigelow for the entire 2014 season.
The injury was reported by USC via Twitter Tuesday afternoon. The injury was suffered during voluntary player workouts.USC DL Kenny Bigelow (@4_Fighton_0) is out for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee suffered in voluntary player workouts. #FightOn
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) July 8, 2014
Bigelow enrolled at USC in the spring of 2013 after graduating from high school early. Despite arriving on campus early, Bigelow sat out the 2013 season after being redshirted for the year. With a year to focus on improving and preparing for competition on the defensive line, Bigelow was expected to make a push for playing time on the defensive line this season for the Trojans. Now he will lose a year of eligibility by default, although it could be possible to apply for a medical waiver to regain a lost year of eligibility from the NCAA.
There is no word on whether or not that will be pursued by Bigelow at this time. For now, the focus will be on rehabbing the right knee and getting back in the mix for 2015.
Photo credit: USC Athletics