LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Tre Madden May Be Unavailable For USC Opener

By Ayron Beavers

facebooktwitterreddit

Trojan fans are going to likely see a LOT of Javorius Allen week 1 versus the Fresno State Bulldogs.

Tre Madden, Allen’s running mate in the backfield, is suffering through a toe injury that has sidelined him for nearly a week of practice. By last week’s end, Madden had already visited two specialists. He has not been to practice since August 18th, a scheduled scrimmage in the LA Coliseum, perhaps warranting speculation that Madden is suffering from turf toe.

Although Sarkisian has proclaimed that Madden will be a “game time decision,” seeing him in a walking boot does not bode well for his chances to play against Fresno State. Madden’s lingering toe issue is just one on a list of nagging injuries that has frustrated him and limited his playing time at USC.  He missed the 2012 season with a torn ACL, and was hampered by a hamstring injury that slowed down a promising 2013 season as well.

Live Feed

The latest trends for top transfer portal quarterbacks
The latest trends for top transfer portal quarterbacks /

Saturday Blitz

  • Tyler O'Neill and the Boston Red Sox are a perfect matchRedbird Rants
  • Analyst believes USC, Notre Dame, or FSU can lure Coach Prime away from Colorado footballGlory Colorado
  • UCLA Athletics: Good Things happening in WestwoodGo Joe Bruin
  • Syracuse Football: Top-40 quarterback in senior class to officially visit SUInside the Loud House
  • 3 Dodgers whose futures are now in question after Mookie Betts' position changeDodgers Way

    • “When you start messing with a running back and his feet and his toes and the ability to push-off, they don’t just overnight all of a sudden get better,”  USC head coach Steve Sarkisian told the LA Times. Standout sophomore Justin Davis has stepped up to take reps in relief of Madden’s departure in the No. 2 running back spot.

    The good news for USC is that they are LOADED at the running back position. Justin Davis is one of the premiere young backs in the nation.  He is a “home run” hitting back who can quickly change the dynamic of any game with one swift juke.  Although Madden is the more seasoned back and expected to handle the load, Justin Davis will surely not disappoint.

    “When you start messing with a running back and his feet and his toes and the ability to push-off, they don’t just overnight all of a sudden get better.”-Steve Sarkisian

    Meanwhile, Madden is the primary concern.  He’s suffered a lot of aggravating injuries in his career at USC.  With the talent that he possesses and how he contributes to the offense, one simply just feels bad for the kid. All surely  hope that Madden can quickly rebound from this injury and have a stellar season reminiscent of his first five games of 2013.

    Turf toe is a VERY nagging injury that can keep a player sidelined for weeks upon end.  The hypertension of the toe’s ligaments makes it painful to walk, let alone run.  With a limited roster, Sarkisian is taking all precautions to keep his primary contributors healthy. The reality is that Madden may miss at least two games to keep the injury from rearing its ugly head again. Though missing any time is tough for key contributors in such a short season, this is Sark’s best course of action if he wants to have Madden at his disposal at all this season.

    Home/LA Sports