JuJu Smith-Schuster Injury: Updates on USC WR's Hand and Return

USC Trojans playmaking wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered a fractured hand on Oct. 31 against California. He had surgery to repair the fracture, but his status going forward is unknown at this time. 

Continue for updates.

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Latest on Smith-Schuster's Status vs. Arizona

Thursday, Nov. 5

Michael Lev of the Orange County Register reported Smith-Schuster hasn't been ruled out of Saturday's game, and is being fitted for a special cast that could allow him to play    

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Latest on Smith-Schuster's Recovery from Hand Surgery

Wednesday, Nov. 4

Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reported Smith-Schuster had a hard cast on his right hand and didn't catch passes at practice.

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Smith-Schuster, Helton Comment on Injury

Saturday, Oct. 31

"It'll be a pain tolerance thing for him," USC head coach Clay Helton said of Smith-Schuster's fracture, per Dave Lombardi of ESPN.com.

Smith-Schuster said he expects to get a cast on his injured hand but thinks he can keep playing, per Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News. 

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Smith-Schuster Injury Is Major Blow to USC Passing Attack

The sophomore wide receiver has developed into quarterback Cody Kessler's most productive target this season. He leads the Trojans with 52 receptions for 956 yards and boasts blazing speed and a reliable set of hands.

He and Kessler have been clicking on all cylinders, as Smith-Schuster has been a menace down the field. Other than Smith-Schuster, though, USC does not have much depth at wide receiver. While he has 52 receptions, the next leading receiver, Adoree' Jackson, had just 17 going into Saturday. 

Kessler will have to find a new favorite target if he wants his offense to continue to thrive. Losing a player of Smith-Schuster's caliber could be damaging to an already lost season. 

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com.