USC left tackle Chad Wheeler has '50-50' chance to play in opener

LOS ANGELES — The plan for USC at left tackle, 10 days before its season opener against Alabama, remained muddied.

Two weeks have passed since Chad Wheeler last practiced. Wheeler, who underwent a PRP shot for plantar fasciitis, again was out Wednesday.

Coach Clay Helton forecasted his chances of playing against the Crimson Tide as 50-50.

For Wheeler to be on the field in Arlington, Texas, Helton said he needed to be able to practice all of next week.

“If we get into the middle of next week and it’s Wednesday, Thursday, obviously it’s hard,” Helton said.

His hope is Wheeler may start to go through certain drills later this week and allow him to work in with the first-team offense when the team returns on Tuesday.

Wheeler ran on an AlterG treadmill for a second day, a promising development Helton said.

If Wheeler is sidelined, sophomore Chuma Edoga would start at left tackle. He has started there for most of training camp, with Zach Baer remaining at right tackle.

“I have no reservations,” Helton said. “I think Chuma is going to be a very, very talented individual. For him to do what he did last year as a true freshman, now as a sophomore, even more advanced, stronger. His knowledge of the game and football instincts are terrific. We’re very fortunate here.”

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Edoga started two games at right tackle last season, against Utah and Wisconsin in the Holiday Bowl.

Helton pointed to Edoga’s experience in the upset of the then-No. 3 Utes. The Trojans, though, allowed four sacks and averaged 2.6 yards per carry.

Safety help

Sophomore safety Marvell Tell participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time since returning from a hamstring injury.

“I feel real good,” he said.

Tell, who is the Trojans’ starting free safety, is expected to play against Alabama, Helton said.

When he was out for a week, Tell said he tried to say engaged.

“I’m taking mental reps,” he said. “I’m in every rep.”

Quick hits

Former USC ruing back Ricky Ervins will be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame for the Class of 2016, the Tournament of Roses aounced Wednesday. Ervins was the MVP of the 1990 bowl game against Michigan when he ran for 126 yards and one touchdown. … Safety John Plattenburg (concussion) did not practice. ... In honor of the declared “Kobe Bryant Day” by the L.A. City Council, receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster wrote “8.24 MAMBA” on his undershirt at practice on Wednesday.

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