USC looks to move on without injured seniors
The injuries keep piling up for South Carolina.
Defensive back Akeem Auguste (foot) and offensive tackle Kyle Nunn (back) will miss the remainder of the season, coach Steve Spurrier announced Tuesday. Auguste has not played since USC’s game at Georgia on Sept. 10, while Nunn has missed the last three games.
Nunn was hospitalized last week due to a “potential” blood clot in his leg related to the back injury, Spurrier said.
“Kyle’s got all kind of problems now,” Spurrier said. “He’s on blood thinners. I don’t think his back requires surgery, but he’s out for the year.”
Auguste will have surgery within the week on his left arch, Spurrier said. The procedure will be similar to the one N.C. State tailback Mustafa Greene, a Columbia native, recently had.
“They put a plate in your foot, and let it sit there for a while,” Spurrier said. “Then they take it out, from what I understand. That’s what Akeem’s going to have.”
Auguste missed all of the preseason and USC’s season opener against East Carolina in Charlotte with a left arch injury. He did return to play against Georgia, but has been out since.
Spurrier said Nunn, a fifth-year senior, will apply for a sixth year of eligibility due to medical hardship. Auguste will redshirt and should be healthy in time for the 2012 season, Spurrier said.
It’s unlikely Auguste will have any issues gaining a medical redshirt. Linebacker Shaq Wilson found himself in the same situation last fall when his hamstring injury wouldn’t heal. Like Auguste, Wilson played in one game before being ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Nunn will have to petition the NCAA and gain approval in order to return for a sixth season.
“We’ll apply for [a sixth year for Nunn] and see what happens,” Spurrier said.
Captain vote upcoming: Spurrier said the team will vote for permanent captains before it leaves town Thursday for fall break. USC has gone with individual game captains through the first seven games.