LOS ANGELES -- The margin for injury in the USC backfield is very slim in 2012.
As the program and the nation await word on a possible commitment from Penn State running back Silas Redd to the Trojans, USC's need for bodies in the backfield was as clear as the boot worn on the right foot of USC running back D.J. Morgan at the players only workouts Friday morning.
Morgan says he's been in the boot since Monday because of turf toe; he suffered the injury while running the steps at the Coliseum two weeks ago.
"We were competing in the Coliseum on the stairs and I hyper extended my toe and so I just been trying to cater to it so I'm making sure I'm 100 percent come camp," Morgan said. "They have me in the boot right now. I went to see the foot specialist. He said it's nothing major. Nothing's fractured or anything. I just have to stay off of it for a little while."
Morgan described his toe as "very bruised" and said it was "very sore and tender."
He does expect to be available when the Trojans open fall camp on Aug. 6.
While Morgan says the injury isn't serious, it does speak to the depth or lack thereof for the Trojans at running back. It shows how fragile the position is for the Trojans with Curtis McNeal and Morgan the only two backs with any experience carrying the ball.
Earlier this week, coach Lane Kiffin said incoming freshman Nelson Agholor will play a running back and not at wide receiver, his natural position, because of the Trojans' need for bodies in the backfield. Agholor has impressed at receiver during players only workouts this summer but the more glaring need is at running back.
There is also the possibility of Redd joining the fold. Redd, along with his father and brother are expected to visit the USC campus on Saturday. According to reports, Redd is supposed to make his future decision by Monday.
The Trojans ended spring ball with just three scholarship tailbacks. It's a place where depth is a concern even for the running backs.
"Even though I'm a running back, it's always great to have depth," Morgan said. "You're going to get tired at one point in the game. You might get injured. It's not about me. It's about the overall team. If I get hurt I want the next guy to be able to come in and do just as good as me so the team can win."
