USC gets top rusher back, but health of leading receiver is now in question

It was a good news/bad news kind of day for the USC football program.

As of Monday morning, the Trojans were unsure whether leading rusher Ronald Jones would be able to recover from a thigh contusion soon enough to play in Friday’s game at No. 16 Washington State. Jones practiced Monday afternoon and told Los Angeles media: “I’m ready to go Friday.”

But within the same hour, USC coach Clay Helton told reporters that Deontay Burnett, was out with a shoulder injury and wasn’t able to give a timetable for the return of his top receiver. Burnett, a one-time WSU commit, ranks No. 7 in the FBS this year with 462 yards on 33 receptions. He’s caught five touchdown passes.

That means the Trojans could be without their two most productive receivers when they come to the Palouse. Senior wideout Steven Mitchell Jr. didn’t play in USC’s most recent game against Cal because of a quadriceps injury and missed Monday’s practice. Mitchell Jr. is behind Burnett on the catch chart, with 14 receptions for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

Starting outside linebacker Porter Gustin has a torn biceps and a broken big toe. He also was a non-participant on Monday, according to the Los Angeles Times.