Parker Set for Surgery

Senior Larry Parker is scheduled to have corrective foot surgery next week after receiving a second medical opinion, and USC’s depth at receiver has evaporated.

The Trojans have lost two of their top five receivers for the season in the last two days after announcing Tuesday that freshman Rod Perry Jr. will have knee surgery.

Parker, who caught 10 passes for 129 yards last season but struggled with nagging injuries, has a stress fracture in his left foot as well as other structural problems that contributed to his series of foot and leg injuries.

Since he hasn’t used his redshirt year, he expects to return for the 1998 season.

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With Parker and Perry out, the Trojans are desperate for a fourth receiver behind sophomore R. Jay Soward, junior Billy Miller and junior Mike Bastianelli.

Troy Garner, a redshirt freshman, is No. 4 right now, but within a few weeks it could be backup quarterback Quincy Woods, who has worked out at receiver and backup quarterback both days since the depth issue became apparent.

Woods still wants to fight for the No. 1 quarterback job, but if John Fox’s grip stays strong, Woods’ chances of playing as a receiver are better.