The dreaded high-ankle sprain has claimed yet another victim.
The latest to fall into the injury’s clutches is Justin Davis, with USC head coach Clay Helton confirming Thursday that the running back won’t play against Arizona Saturday because of it. The decision to sideline Davis came after the back hadn’t practiced at all this week.
The senior sustained the injury in the win over Colorado last weekend. It’s possible the injury will linger beyond this week, although it will help that the Trojans have a bye for Week 8 and won’t play again until Thursday, Oct. 27, against Cal.
Davis currently leads the Trojans with 476 yards and 6.4 yards per carry. Sophomore Ronald Jones, who’s second on the team with 208 yards, is expected to get the start in place of Jones.
Additionally, Helton stated that fellow sophomores Aca’Cedric Ware (133 yards) and Dominic Davis (13) will shoulder more of the running-game load than usual.
“We’ve got three really quality runners,” the coach said by way of the Orange County Register. “We still remain balanced. We’re going to stick to our M.O., where our run still sets up the pass and be a balanced offense. We got a lot of confidence in the three kids.”