Freshman linebacker Cameron Smith and senior linebacker Lamar Dawson suffered season-ending knee injuries in Friday’s win against Colorado.
Smith suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and Dawson suffered a shoulder injury.
"I feel sad for both kids because they brought so much to the table for us this season," Helton said via teleconference.
Smith had been one of the rising stars for the Trojans after intercepting three passes in a win against Utah. He led the team in tackles, including the six he made while nursing his injury on Friday.
"He was a difference-maker in several games," Helton said. "To lose his playmaking ability is, obviously, a blow to us."
Dawson, a redshirt senior, missed part of the 2013 season and all of 2014 after suffering a knee injury. As a backup, he had made 31 tackles this season.
The Trojans also lost guard Viane Talamaivao, who suffered a torn meniscus against the Buffaloes. Talamaivao has not been ruled out for the rest of the season, but will be evaluated going forward. Chris Brown stepped in for Talamaivao against Colorado.
USC now has a chance to win the Pac-12 South following Utah’s double-overtime loss to Arizona on Saturday night. The Utes and Trojans both have two conference losses, but USC holds the head-to-head tiebreaker. UCLA, which has three conference losses, also is in the mix since it plays Utah and USC to end the season. If the Bruins were to win both of those games, all three teams would have three conference loses and UCLA would hold the head-to-head tiebreakers.
For more USC news, visit TrojanSports.com.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
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