USC linebacker Cameron Smith doubtful vs Arizona State

USC faces another must win situation this Saturday against the Arizona State Sun Devils. However they’ll likely be without their senior captain for the game.

Trojans senior linebacker Cameron Smith status for Saturday’s game vs Arizona State is doubtful due to a knee injury per head coach Clay Helton. Smith had his knee drained earlier in the week and was limited to being a spectator at practice making it clear that he may not be able to go this Saturday.

Smith was hampered with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the Colorado game two weeks ago. He gave it a try last week against Utah, however he was pulled early in the game due to the hamstring issue. The knee concern comes from fluid building up in the same knee that Smith had the torn ACL back in 2015. Smith is hopeful for a return next week when the Trojans travel to Corvallis to face Oregon State.

Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images

The last couple of games freshman linebacker Palaie Gaoteote has filled in for the injured senior linebacker. Gaoteote has done a solid job at the position which gives USC and Smith sometime to get healthy.

USC already lost one key member of their defense in senior linebacker Porter Gustin for the season. The amount of injuries on defense now forces the Trojans to rely on their depth and younger players to step up and play a huge part in keeping their Pac-12 south hopes alive.