USC LB Smith unlikely to play vs. Arizona State

USC is likely to be without All-Pac-12 linebacker Cameron Smith when it faces Arizona State on Saturday in Los Angeles. Smith did not play in USC's Oct. 13 win over Colorado because of a hamstring injury, and he left last week's loss to Utah after reaggravating the hamstring injury. However, it is a knee injury that might sideline him for the game against the Sun Devils. The Orange County Register reported that Smith had fluid drained from his left knee this week and received platelet-rich plasma and Monovisc injections. It was an injury to the same knee that caused Smith to miss the last four games of the 2015 season. "It does not look favorable for this week," USC head coach Clay Helton said Wednesday night when asked about Smith's status for Saturday. Even though he missed one game and most of a second game, Smith leads the Trojans in tackles with 47. He is also second in tackles for loss with five and tied for third with three pass breakups. He was a first-team all-conference selection last season, when he had 112 tackles, including 11 for losses. Smith's backup at inside linebacker is listed as true freshman Palaie Gaoteote IV. Gaoteote was credited with 20 tackles in the past two games. USC (4-3) is tied with Utah atop the Pac-12 South standings with a 3-2 conference record. Arizona State is 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the conference.