USC’s football program may have gotten a treat today. Wide receiver Marqise Lee was active in practice on Wednesday and has been upgraded to probable for this weekend’s road game at Oregon State, according to the Los Angeles Times. If the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner can be available this weekend, the Trojans offense will have a valuable asset in their passing game to try to keep pace with the Beavers.
Lee has been battling a sprained left knee for the better part of a month now, forcing him to miss two game and leave early in two other games. Lee is USC’s best offensive player and his limited production and absence has been noticeable. Even if he is not quite at 100 percent for the Trojans, he gives the offense a bit of a boost, even if it us just as a decoy for opposing defenses. Lee has just one touchdown catch in six games this season but is second on the team with 403 yards. Lee’s status was reported as questionable earlier this week.
For Lee, who may be the top wide receiver prospect available in the 2014 NFL Draft, there is not much to prove as far as his potential is concerned, but it would benefit him a bit to show he can come back from injury and perform. Expect USC to proceed with caution though as losing Lee once again could hurt the team. USC is just one win away from becoming bowl eligible and there are some big games coming up for the Trojans, including against Stanford and UCLA after facing Oregon State this weekend.
USC is also hoping to add leading tight end Xavier Grimble back to the line-up as well. Grimble injured his ankle against Notre Dame and sat out last weekend’s game against Utah. Like Lee, Grimble was also upgraded to probable for this weekend’s game for the Trojans.