As the NFL gets set for Wild Card Weekend, former USC assistant coach Kirby Wilson will not be able to man his post as Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach due to severe burns that he suffered from a house fire last night. The Trojan Family wishes him a speedy recovery.
Here's a look at the Trojans who are in action this weekend:
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texas at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on NBC
Bengals
LB Rey Maualuga - No. 58 will make his postseason debut after finishing the regular season second on the team in tackles (88).
DE Frostee Rucker - Watch for him coming off the edge as he finished the year with 4 sacks.
S Taylor Mays - Listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury.
LB Keith Rivers - He's been on IR all season.
Texans
LB Brian Cushing - He was voted the team's defensive MVP after leading the squad in tackles (114).
DT Shaun Cody - A consistent force on the nose coming off his best campaign as a pro.
QB Matt Leinart - Out with a broken collarbone.
Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints at 5 p.m. Saturday on NBC
Lions
DE Lawrence Jackson - Tallied 4.5 sacks in 11 games.
Saints
DT Sedrick Ellis - No. 98 is in search of his second ring.
OT Charles Brown - Injured reserve.
Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants at 10 a.m. Sunday on Fox
Falcons
LT Sam Baker - He is expected to back up at left tackle.
Giants
CB Terrell Thomas - Injured reserve.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on CBS
Steelers
S Troy Polamalu - The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Broncos
No Trojans
Here's a look at the Trojans who are in action this weekend:
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texas at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on NBC
Bengals
LB Rey Maualuga - No. 58 will make his postseason debut after finishing the regular season second on the team in tackles (88).DE Frostee Rucker - Watch for him coming off the edge as he finished the year with 4 sacks.
S Taylor Mays - Listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury.
LB Keith Rivers - He's been on IR all season.
Texans
LB Brian Cushing - He was voted the team's defensive MVP after leading the squad in tackles (114).
DT Shaun Cody - A consistent force on the nose coming off his best campaign as a pro.
QB Matt Leinart - Out with a broken collarbone.
Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints at 5 p.m. Saturday on NBC
Lions
DE Lawrence Jackson - Tallied 4.5 sacks in 11 games.
Saints
DT Sedrick Ellis - No. 98 is in search of his second ring.
OT Charles Brown - Injured reserve.
Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants at 10 a.m. Sunday on Fox
FalconsLT Sam Baker - He is expected to back up at left tackle.
Giants
CB Terrell Thomas - Injured reserve.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on CBS
Steelers
S Troy Polamalu - The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Broncos
No Trojans
I can't wait to watch a well rested Clay Matthews take the field next week. Hello Bye week.
I realized while watching the Lions-Saints that a former Trojan who did not receive mention in this post is Eric Wright of the Lions. Wright was a defensive star for the Trojans in the 2005 nat'l championship game, but subsequently transferred to UNLV due to off-field issues. I think he is a nice story of a player who came into the NFL with negative baggage and has put together a decent career so far.