USC's Josh Shaw Reinstated, Not Charged After Investigation for August Incident

Indefinitely suspended USC cornerback Josh Shaw received good news Monday when the Los Angeles District Attorney's office didn't press charges against him. He has been reinstated to the football program as of Tuesday.   

Continue for updates.

Thursday, Nov. 20

Shaw Will Play Role for USC vs. UCLA

Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times has an update on whether Shaw will play against UCLA from USC head coach Steve Sarkisian:

Wednesday, Nov. 19

USC Teammates Reportedly Unhappy About Shaw's Return

TMZ Sports reports the latest from the Trojans locker room:

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USC cornerback Josh Shaw -- who got busted lying about being a hero -- is back from suspension, but some of his Trojan teammates tell TMZ Sports they're not happy he's putting on the pads again.

We spoke to several Trojans who say they were "speechless" when they heard Shaw was rejoining the team -- because they don't think he deserves to start over players who didn't get in trouble, and have been playing all season.

Don't expect any mutiny though -- the players say they won't b**** to coaches because ... as one player put it, "We don't have to be happy with it ... just gotta roll with it."

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Sarkisian Speaks on Shaw

Steve Sarkisian updated Josh Shaw's status after returning to USC, via Ryan Abraham of USCFootball.com:

Tuesday, Nov. 18

Shaw Reinstated by USC

USC Athletics provide an update on Shaw's status with the program:

Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times confirms Shaw's status as a captain:

Monday, Nov. 17

Shaw Won't be Charged for August Incident

Michael Lev of the Orange County Register reported on the matter, as Shaw was being investigated "after getting into an argument with his girlfriend, then fleeing the scene by jumping from a balcony."

Shaw had claimed that he sprained both ankles by jumping off the second-floor balcony of the apartment to rescue his nephew from drowning. However, he later admitted to making up that story from the night of Aug. 23 in Palmdale.   

The DA determined that Shaw hadn't caused any harm to his girlfriend despite a heated argument in which neighbors called the police, since they heard screams from the apartment. The police presence flustered Shaw, leading to a drop of some 20 feet from the apartment's balcony, which caused his injuries.

Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times spoke with Shaw, who lamented the fact that he'd done such damage to his reputation in the public eye.

"I would challenge somebody who doesn't know me to seek those who have encountered me and find one person who has one bad thing to say about me," said Shaw. "I've created this persona that I always do what's right … and then, boom."

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Before his suspension, Shaw was considered among the best cornerbacks in college football, with the chance to be a top-tier prospect in the 2015 NFL draft. That opportunity still exists, but after this saga away from the field, Shaw's stock isn't as high as it could have been.

Not being able to play for a full season could call into question just how good of shape Shaw is in, especially since he's had to recover from injuries to both ankles. CBSSports.com currently projects Shaw to be a third- or fourth-round draft choice.

The fifth-year senior was a team captain before being banished, so it will be interesting if the intangibles that merited that designation can help Shaw convince NFL front offices to take a chance on him. Avoiding charges in this instance has to help Shaw's cause.