USC football: Tailback D.J. Morgan to have knee surgery

September 05, 2012|By Gary Klein

USC tailback D.J. Morgan runs with the ball during practice on Aug. 17. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles…)

It's a good thing USC pursued and landed Silas Redd.

USC Coach Lane Kiffin confirmed Wednesday that sophomore tailback D.J. Morgan would have knee surgery. Morgan had tweeted his status earlier in the day.

Morgan, who started two games in 2011, rushed for seven yards in his only carry Saturday in the Trojans' 49-10 season-opening victory over Hawaii.

Morgan had reconstructive surgery on his right knee after suffering an injury in high school. Kiffin did not specify if Morgan reinjured the same knee or how long he would be sidelined.

Tailback depth was USC's biggest issue a few weeks before training camp, but Kiffin went all out to recruit Redd after Penn State was hit with NCAA sanctions that allowed players to transfer without having to sit out a season.

Against Hawaii, the junior rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown in nine carries. Senior Curtis McNeal had 14 yards in five carries.

Redd, McNeal and redshirt freshman Javorius Allen are now the only available scholarship tailbacks heading into this Saturday's game against Syracuse at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

"I think it just goes back to how important getting Silas was," Kiffin said. "We're sure happy to have him."

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