Silas Redd Is Injured, Expected Back For The Season
By Kyle Kensing
Dec 31, 2012; El Paso, TX, USA; Southern California Trojans tailback Silas Redd (25) scores on a 9-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter as Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets cornerback Louis Young (8) defends in the 2012 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
USC Trojans running back Silas Redd is injured, head coach Lane Kiffin told reporters following practice on Saturday. Redd suffered a torn meniscus that We Are SC reports is scheduled for operation on Tuesday.
Redd is excepted back for the opening of the Trojans’ 2013 season, August 29 at Hawai’i.
Silas Redd was the most noteworthy player to exercise an NCAA offer granting Penn State Nittany Lions players the opportunity to transfer without sitting out the customary one year. He was the leading rusher while sharing carries with USC’s 2011 ground game pace setter, Curtis McNeal. Redd’s nine touchdowns were a career high, but his yardage dropped nearly 350 yards from his 2011 mark.
Should Redd’s rehabilitation keep him out longer than anticipated, Tre Madden and D.J. Morgan are next on the USC depth chart. Madden is a converted linebacker with no college careers as of yet. Morgan was USC’s No. 3 rusher last season, carrying 41 times for 201 yards and a touchdown.
With Kiffin breaking in a new quarterback to replace Matt Barkley, an established run game is important for the Trojan offense early into the new season. Redd will be the focal point in the backfield — if healthy, he should easily exceed his 167-carry workload a season. However, Redd’s absence for the remainder of spring workouts points to a significant problem looming for USC.
NCAA-mandated reductions in scholarships stemming from the Reggie Bush scandal have left the Trojan ranks thin. At running back alone, USC is currently dealing with three injuries. Quarterback Max Wittek is out currently sidelined, as well as All-America wide receiver Marqise Lee. Wittek and Lee are both expected back before USC ends its allotment of 15 spring practices, but even such minor injuries can have profound impact on the Trojans’ efforts come the regular season.