Clay Helton says Sam Darnold has been dealing with ankle injury

USC head coach Clay Helton said after his team’s 49-14 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday night that quarterback Sam Darnold has been dealing with an ankle injury for the past month.

Darnold went 20 of 28 for 229 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against the Fighting Irish. He was replaced by Matt Fink late in the game after tweaking his ankle. Helton noted that Darnold has been dealing with the ankle injury since the team’s loss to Washington State on Sept. 29.

Clay Helton said Sam Darnold was pulled late in the third quarter after tweaking his ankle. Helton said he’s been hurt since Washington St.

— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) October 22, 2017

Darnold doesn’t seem to be fazed by the ankle issue.

Sam Darnold said his ankle injury is nothing he cannot handle #USC pic.twitter.com/gHPhUkBV8X

— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) October 22, 2017

Darnold, a redshirt sophomore, is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He’s thrown 10 interceptions this season though and hasn’t been as sharp as he was last season.