The Stanford Cardinal are gearing up for their biggest road game of the season as they prepare for the USC Trojans on Saturday According to Kyle Bonagura of CBS Sports, the Cardinal will likely be without strong safety Delano Howell for the game:
@KyleBonagura
Kyle Bonagura Delano Howell will most likely miss this week's game vs USC coach David Shaw said. #stanford
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Howell, a regular starter in the Cardinal secondary, has been limited by a hand injury. He missed last week's game against the Washington Huskies and appears destined to sit out this game as well.
Howell's injury opens up playing time for sophomore Devon Carrington and freshman Jordan Richards. The two helped fill in for Howell alongside senior Michael Thomas last weekend against Washington, limiting the Huskies to 258 passing yards and 6.8 yards per attempt.
The trio will be called upon again this weekend against USC's Matt Barkley, who is averaging just under 300 yards per game (286.57). Stanford will also have to limit Trojans leading wide receiver Robert Woods, one of the top receivers in the Pac-12.
Needless to say, Stanford's safeties will have their work cut out for them on Saturday without Howell. How they perform could go a long way in determining the game's final outcome.