USC may be forced to start its third-string quarterback in Saturday’s home game against Arizona State.
Freshman quarterback JT Daniels, who started the Trojans’ first seven games, has entered the concussion protocol as a result of hits he took during Saturday’s 41-28 loss to Utah.
Head coach Clay Helton announced on Sunday that backup quarterback Matt Fink broke three ribs in the Utah game.
As a result, the Trojans (4-3, 3-2 Pac-12) will prepare redshirt freshman Jack Sears to be the team’s starter this week.
“I’m a big fan of Jack. I always have been,” Helton said on Sunday, according to ESPN. “If he’s given the opportunities, I think he’ll do a great job.”
Sears did not play in 2017 and has not thrown a pass in a game this season. He would start only if Daniels is not medically cleared to play against Arizona State (3-4, 1-3 Pac-12)
Helton would not offer a guess as to how long Daniels would be out, but hinted Daniels would not need much practice time to be ready to play.
He was 6 of 16 for 89 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions before being sidelined against Utah. The Trojans had just 205 yards of offense in the game.
USC is tied with Utah for first place in the Pac-12 South, but if the teams finish tied atop the division, Utah would win the tiebreaker based on the head-to-head victory over the Trojans.
