USC DE Devon Kennard Likely Out For Season With Torn Pectoral

In an unfortunate development, USC defensive end Devon Kennard will miss the next three months after tearing one of his pectoral muscles in a freak weight lifting accident.

He could possibly come back later in the season, redshirt, or sit out the season and declare for the 2013 NFL Draft next year, but he’s keeping his options open.

“My mindset is definitely going to be to try to come back this year,” Kennard said. “But I’m not going to hurt myself or the team in the process.”

Kennard has started 18 games for the Trojans throughout his career at USC, and he was expected to be a big contributor and a veteran presence on that USC defensive line. Without him, the Trojans will have to rely on the likes of Leonard Williams, Kevin Greene, and Morgan Breslin.

Here is our scouting report going into this season on Kennard:

Originally started his career at USC as a defensive end, then started at middle linebacker, and then moved back to defensive end in 2011. He has a lot of upside in this area, but he needs to have a productive senior year if he wants to be picked in the first two days of the draft. He has really good size to play either defensive end position in a 4-3 scheme, and because of his experience playing middle linebacker, he also has scheme versatility to play in a 3-4 as an outside rush linebacker. If he can show substantial increase in his pass rush skills, he could very well be a second day pick. Playing at USC, he will have plenty of opportunities to show his skills as USC likely will be playing most games with a huge lead. Really has good instincts and may honestly be the best fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker working downhill.