Injury News: Marvell Tell Cleared to Play for USC vs. Stanford
USC safety Marvell Tell got good news on Wednesday, as he was cleared by doctors to play vs. Stanford on Saturday, after going through concussion tests.
The Trojans’ starting sophomore safety was pulled in the third quarter of USC’s 45-7 win over Utah State this past week, after making a hard tackle in the backfield.
Tell was issued into USC’s concussion protocol, though head coach Clay Helton said during his Sunday conference call that he tested above baseline. Nonetheless, Tell was held out of Tuesday’s practice as awaited final testing.
Wednesday, it was all systems go for the key defensive player, as he was cleared by team doctors and is expected to play in Saturday’s Pac-12 opener on the road in Palo Alto, against No. 7 Stanford.
LISTEN: USC vs. Stanford Preview
Since appearing in 10 games as a true freshman last season, Tell has been a key component to USC’s defense. He’s totaled six tackles in the first two weeks of the 2016 season, including a pair of tackles going for a loss.
Without him late in the game against Utah State, former walk on and current reserve safety Matt Lopes checked in at free safety.
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Other injury news announced on Wednesday following practice at Howard Jones Field included word that defensive lineman Noah Jefferson remains doubtful for Saturday’s game. He suffered an AC sprain in his elbow during the Trojans’ Week 1 loss to Alabama.
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