USC Loses Talanoa Hufanga, Drake Jackson and Four Others to Injuries

The Trojans were already down several starters Saturday. They lost their two best defensive players and key contributors on offense versus Arizona.

USC began the night with five new defensive starters. Then it lost its two best defensive players and two key contributors on offense.

Here’s a rundown of injuries from the Trojans' 41-14 win versus Arizona on Saturday:

• Safety Talanoa Hufanga suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter and left the stadium with his right arm in a sling. It's the same shoulder in which he broke his collarbone twice in the past year. 
• Defensive end Drake Jackson limped off the field with an ankle injury in the third quarter and returned to the sideline in a boot. He would exit the Coliseum after the game in a cart. He is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain.
• Outside linebacker Abdul Malik-McClain suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter and did not return. He was carted out with Jackson.
• Running back Stephen Carr, who started in place of the injured Vavae Malepeai, exited in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. He did not return but was walking fairly normal as he exited the stadium. He said he thinks he'll be able to play next week. "Just a tweak," he said, offering a hop to show his injury was mild.
• Running back Markese Stepp also exited with a left ankle injury, in the third quarter. He returned for one play before leaving the game for good. The redshirt freshman was walking with a slight limp but the injury isn't believed to be serious. It's unclear if he has a sprain or bone bruise after taking a direct shot from a helmet.
• Wide receiver Munir McClain suffered a knee injury late in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field.

Coach Clay Helton said he would have more details in the next day or so. USC returns to the practice field Monday in preparation for Friday's game at Colorado.

Defensive end Christian Rector (ankle), weakside linebacker Palaie Gaoteote (ankle), cornerback Olaijah Griffin (back) and nickelback Greg Johnson (shoulder) were ruled out before kickoff against Arizona. Cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart (ankle) did not start but played the majority of the game in relief of true freshman Dorian Hewett.

Kana'i Mauga filled in for Gaoteote and recorded a game-high 13 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack, with an interception and forced fumble.

True freshman running back Kenan Christon entered the game in the second half, after Carr and Step went down and Quincy Jountti fumbled, and proceeded to lead USC in rushing with 103 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries. Christon was making his college debut.