USC's Osa Masina will not travel with team to Alabama

LOS ANGELES >> USC reserve inside linebacker Osa Masina will not travel with the team for the season opener against Alabama because of an unspecified violation of team rules, Coach Clay Helton announced Monday on the Trojans live weekly radio show.

Masina, a sophomore, was co-listed with Quinton Powell as the backup for Mitchael Hutchings on the team’s depth chart released last week.

Last season, he had 25 tackles in 12 games. It was expected he would see a role this season. In training camp, Masina worked in with the first-team defense at times.

He is the second USC player to be suspended for the first game against Alabama, following Isaiah Langley, a reserve coerback.

Langley was arrested at a UCLA frateity party in early May on misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, providing false information and trespassing, a police spokesperson said.

The Trojans are scheduled to travel to Arlington, Texas, on Thursday night following practice.

Kickoff between USC and Alabama on Saturday at AT&T Stadium is at 5 p.m.

Also

Helton said sophomore Chuma Edoga will start at left tackle in place of Chad Wheeler, who has been hobbled by plantar fasciitis since training camp.

Wheeler received a PRP injection earlier this month to help promote healing, but felt pain when he attempted to practice Saturday. Helton said he hoped Wheeler could still play against the Crimson Tide and “help with a couple series.”

It will mark the third career start for Edoga and his first at right tackle.

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