Cody Kessler (6) showed toughness in USC's win over Fresno State. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Southern Cal redshirt junior quarterback Cody Kessler had toe surgery on Tuesday to help treat a staph infection, but he said the procedue was minor and that he plans to return to practice and play Saturday against Stanford in a key Pac-12 matchup.
Kessler missed Tuesday’s practice but expected to be back on the field Wednesday. Coach Steve Sarkisian said Kessler was unable to have the procedure done until Tuesday.
Despite playing with a painful toe, Kessler passed for a career-high 394 yards, threw four touchdown passes and ran for a score in the Trojans’ 52-13 victory over Fresno State in the season opener last Saturday. For his efforts, he was named the Pac-12’s offensive player of the week.
Backup Max Browne subbed for Kessler in practice Tuesday with the Trojans’ first-team offense. Kessler started all 14 games last season at quarterback for Southern Cal.
