USC's Justin Davis ruled out against Arizona

LOS ANGELES >> USC running back Justin Davis, who has a high ankle sprain, will not play on Saturday at Arizona, Trojans head coach Clay Helton announced.

Davis was not at practice this week.

“He’s still being very tender on the ankle,” Helton said.

Through six games, the 6-foot-1 senior leads the Trojans in rushing with 476 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. He had 341 yards in the past three games, including consecutive 100-yard rushing efforts against Utah and Arizona State.

Davis injured his right ankle in the second half of USC’s 21-17 win over Colorado last Saturday. He left the locker room afterward on crutches. A walking boot was placed on his right foot.

“It’s a next-man-up mentality,” Helton said.

In place of Davis, sophomore Ronald Jones is expected to start.

One season after he set a school single-season freshman rushing record, Jones has not been as productive.

He has 208 rushing yards and one touchdown on 46 carries.

Helton said Aca’Cedric Ware and Dominic Davis will rotate in, as well.

“We’ve got three really quality runners,” Helton said. “We still remain balanced. We’re going to stick to our MO, where our run still sets up the pass and be a balanced offense. We got a lot of confidence in the three kids.”

QB simulation

Redshirt sophomore Jalen Greene saw additional repetitions in practice this week to mimic Arizona’s dual-threat quarterbacks, Brandon Dawkins and Khalil Tate.

“He’s got a great arm and is very, very athletic,” Helton said of Greene.

Greene, a receiver, is also USC’s “emergency” quarterback should both Sam Darnold and Max Browne suffer an injury.

Helton said USC also has a wildcat package for Greene known as its “bandit” package.

Tate may start. Dawkins was listed as questionable with a concussion on Arizona’s injury report that was released Thursday.

Quick hits

Zach Banner, who missed the past two games with a sprained ankle, will start at Arizona, Helton confirmed. … Right tackle Jordan Simmons is questionable to play on Saturday with a sore knee. … Linebacker Michael Hutchings (shoulder) and tight end Taylor McNamara (back) practiced Thursday. … Defensive end Noah Jefferson remains on track to return to practice next month. He has not been with the team since the season-opening loss to Alabama. Helton said he has needed to focus on academics. He added he is improving. “I got a good report this week,” Helton said.

Advertisement