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

USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has been dealing with a hand injury that will require offseason surgery to repair.  

Continue for updates. 

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Smith-Schuster To Undergo Offseason Procedure

Thursday, Dec. 31

Smith-Schuster told reporters following USC's 23-21 loss to Wisconsin in the Holiday Bowl that he would be getting surgery in early January. Smith had been dealing with a right hand fracture that required surgery earlier in the season.

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Injury Will Not Disrupt Smith-Schuster's Progression

Despite an 8-6 season that saw head coach Steve Sarkisian fired after a leave of absence, Smith-Schuster enjoyed a monster year with 89 receptions for 1454 yards and 10 touchdowns. The next leading receiver had just 37 catches.

He not only catches passes with that right hand, but he blew up defensive backs with some other-worldly stiff arms as At The Buzzer shows:

The injury is unlikely to affect his status whatsoever going forward. Smith-Schuster was healthy enough to play through his sophomore season without atrophy in production, so this likely will be more a matter of rest and recovery. The 6'2" sophomore will enter next season among the preseason favorites for the Biletnikoff Award. 

Any adjustments the Trojans offense would need to make will be dependent on his recovery. Should things progress slower than expected, Adoree' Jackson would likely ascend to the top spot on the depth chart. Jackson finished second on the team with 414 receiving yards.

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com