Marcus Lattimore #21 breaks free from Mikie Benton of Kentucky during the second half. (John Sommers II/Getty Images)
Columbia, SC (WLTX) - USC star running back Marcus Lattimore's status for this weekend's showdown against Florida is in question, Coach Steve Spurrier says.
Spurrier updated reporters on Lattimore's status after practice Wednesday.
Lattimore suffered a bruised hip during the team's 23-21 loss to LSU last Saturday. He was held out of practice again Wednesday by the coaching staff.
"I don't know how to list him," Spurrier said. "I'm not sure if he's even going to be able to play."
"Takes a week or two to heal up, they call it a bruise, bone in the upper hip area
Kenny Miles and Mike Davis went through drills Wednesday.
"There's a good chance Kenny will end up starting the game. We'll see how Marcus is by the weekend."
Lattimore isn't the only Gamecock recovering. Spurrier said several players have been battling the flu, including Bruce Ellington and Ace Sanders.
Another player who's ailing is defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles, who was seen in a sling for his shoulder Wednesday. Quarles, though, is having to deal with more than aches and pains--he's likely facing discipline for throwing a punch at an LSU player last Saturday.
Spurrier addressed the punch, and explained the Quarles took a shot earlier from a member of the Tigers.
"In defense of Kelcy the punch he threw--I guess you could call it a punch," Spurrier said. "It wasn't a haymaker. He got sort of sucker leveled on Jimmy Legree's interception, that's how he got hurt. About 50 yards behind [the play], one of their guys leveled him. You could say 'well he should have been looking' but he turned and flattened him and that's how he [Quarles] hurt his shoulder. Is hitting someone upside the head like that, is that worse than a sucker blow? That's debatable. I think the guy he [Quarles] sort of pushed at glanced off his helmet or shoulder pad, didn't even know he swung at him, but it was a punch though. We'll discipline him for that."
USC takes on Florida at 3:30 p.m. in Gainesville. The game will be broadcast on CBS/WLTX, and WLTX will have a pre-game special beginning at 2:30 p.m.