A lingering injury issue is likely to cost Tre Madden additional playing time, head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed Tuesday.
The running back has missed the first two games of the new season because of turf toe. According to Sarkisian, that will probably be the case again this Saturday when the Trojans take the field against Boston College.
“He’s a lot further along than where he was 2½ weeks ago. (But) he’s not 100 percent,” Sarkisian said. “I’m hopeful we can get through this game, get through the bye and then get him ready to go for Oregon State (on Sept. 27) so that thing’s not lingering.”
It was reported late last month that Madden could be out for up to a month, so a return for the OSU game Sept. 27 would fit right along with the original prognosis. Getting him back for the heart of the Pac-12 season, however, is important.
During the first five games last season, Madden rushed for 583 yards and three touchdowns. The last eight, three of which he didn’t record a carry, Madden totaled just 120 yards and didn’t find the end zone. His 703 yards were second on the team to the 785 yards for Javorius Allen.
Allen is currently far and away USC’s leading rusher with 287 yards; Justin Davis, the only other healthy scholarship back, has 50 yards as the next-highest total.