Lee sits out practice again
USC All-American receiver Marqise Lee, who is recovering from a knee injury, did not practice Sunday and is questionable for Thursday night’s game against Arizona, interim Coach Ed Orgeron said.
Lee has not practiced since suffering a sprained left knee in the Trojans’ 62-41 loss to Arizona State on Sept. 28.
“It’s day by day,” Orgeron said.
“You don’t want to get a guy out there with that kind of talent that’s not 100%,” receivers coach Tee Martin said.
Martin compared players of Lee’s ability to high-powered sports cars.
“They’re like Ferraris,” he said. “Everything’s got to be right for them to go fast.”
Lee’s absence would further deplete a receiver corps that featured only one scholarship player — sophomore
Nelson Agholor — by the end of Sunday’s workout.
Senior De’Von Flournoy is nursing an ankle injury and was sidelined about midway through practice. Third-year sophomore Vic
tor Blackwell also left practice.
Martin praised the play of walk-on Robby Kolanz, who played against Arizona State.
“Never in a million years we thought he would actually play in a real game,” Martin said. “And he’s out there making plays and actually making a key block for a touchdown.”
Martin has coached from the field during games, but he will now move to the coaches’ booth as offensive coordinator Clay Helton calls plays from the field.
Martin, though, will remain in contact with his charges.
“I will just be by phone,” he said. “Send them to the Bat phone.”
Redd ready
Senior tailback Silas Redd went through full-contact drills and is probable for Thursday’s game.
“I felt awesome,” said Redd, who has been sidelined all season while recovering from knee surgeries.
Tre Madden and Justin Davis have established themselves as a formidable tailback combination. But Redd, the Trojans’ leading rusher last season, intends to crack the rotation.
“I know what type of back I am and know what skills I have,” he said. “I’m not being cocky, I just don’t think I can be kept off the field.”
Change of pace
Orgeron made several changes to practice, eliminating nearly all music except for during a few periods.
“The music creates a little energy,” he said, “but I like them to hear us coaching.”
Orgeron also stripped quarterbacks of the yellow jerseys they have traditionally donned to warn against contact. “One team, one heartbeat,” he said. Quipped quarterback
Cody Kessler: “I wasn’t a big fan of yellow. Yellow’s not really my color.”
Quick hits
Linebacker Morgan Breslin (hip) and receiver
Darreus Rogers (ankle) are questionable for the Arizona game. Flournoy (ankle) and Davis (ankle) are probable.