Leonard Williams Injury: Updates on USC Star's Shoulder and Return

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 16

Michael Lev of the Orange County Register provides an update on Leonard Williams' injury:

Original Text: 

Leonard Williams, one of the best NFL prospects in America, is dealing with shoulder soreness. 

Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times has the details:

"

USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams did not practice Tuesday because of shoulder soreness, Coach Steve Sarkisian said.

Williams aggravated a lingering shoulder issue during the Trojans’ victory over Arizona. His status for Saturday’s game against Colorado will be determined as the week progresses.

"

Should the injury prove to be serious and keep him out of action, it would undoubtedly be a major blow for Justin Wilcox's defense. At 6'0" and 300 pounds with impressive athleticism and versatility, the junior is a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. He tallied 13 sacks and 26 tackles for loss during his first two campaigns in Los Angeles, and in 2014 he has continued to build momentum as a potential No. 1 pick next spring.     

"He's a pretty special player and pretty special guy," said Wilcox, via the Los Angeles Times' Lindsey Thiry. "I don't really have a problem saying that, because no matter what, Leonard always comes out to get better."

The good news for the Trojans is Williams' willingness to play through injuries. He battled a shoulder injury for most of 2013 but missed just one game, and earlier this season, he racked up 11 tackles against Stanford while dealing with an ankle sprain. 

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. (subscription needed) praised Williams after that performance:

"

He was so special against Stanford, playing through an injury with barely any drawbacks. If Williams doesn't wow you with quickness on the edge, realize he's 290-plus pounds and won't get pushed around even if he moves inside. At his size, he's a special athlete who could line up as a defensive end and drive a tackle back or line up on the outside shoulder of a guard and create problems with power and quickness, as well. He's the kind of disruptive, versatile lineman who can succeed in any system. A potential No. 1 pick.

"

That's two different people to use "special" while describing Williams, and it doesn't take long to see why. 

Steve Sarkisian and his staff will obviously miss Williams for as long as he's sidelined, but it's safe to say there are also plenty of NFL teams out there hoping the dominant force isn't affected by this newest affliction.