USC’s Aundrey Walker makes impact in return from injury

Maybe Aundrey Walker has reached a turning point.

Walker played against Oregon State, his first game since suffering a broken ankle last season against UCLA.

USC Coach Steve Sarkisian said multiple times during training camp that Walker was medically cleared by doctors, but that Walker needed to assert himself.

After Saturday’s 35-10 victory, Walker refuted any notion that his slow recovery was due to a lack of effort.

“Honestly, [doctors] can clear you, but they can’t tell you how you feel,” Walker said.

Walker has 18 career starts, and his skill is needed on a young offensive line that depends on a rotation to keep pace with Sarkisian’s up-tempo offense.

“He’s healthy and he understands he’s healthy and he understands what we’re trying to get done as a program,” said Sarkisian, adding that Walker is needed to rotate with right tackle Zach Banner.

Walker said he has been playing “catch up” at practice because of the injury, but thinks he can earn a starting job.

“I’m working towards that,” he said.

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