But for seven weeks this season, Vavae Malepeai played through the pain, anyway, leading USC’s split backfield in carries. Malepeai, USC’s leading rusher, will have surgery to “clean out” his knee, USC coach Clay Helton announced on Sunday. With six games left in the season, there is currently no timetable for his return. AdvertisementMalepeai had fought through the injury since the preseason, as he sat out most of USC’s fall camp to recover. Without Malepeai, Stepp will likely carry the load between the tackles going forward, as Carr remains more of an all-purpose threat in space.

Source: Los Angeles Times October 14, 2019 02:48 UTC