USC football’s defense has been no stranger to injury absences and it appears another is likely this week.
Starting weakside linebacker John Houston sat out another day of practice on Wednesday after sustaining a hamstring injury against UCLA. He is officially “day-to-day” but it seems likely he will miss at least some time this weekend. As a result, freshman linebacker Palaie Gaoteote has shifted over to the WILL in his place.
The freshman has already started for senior Cameron Smith this season when injury also took him out of the lineup, but this particular assignment is a far more manageable one than taking over for a seasoned veteran at middle linebacker.