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Batchelor leaving school; Garcia, Baker OK
CommentsStarting offensive guard Heath Batchelor will drop out of school to deal with medical issues, USC coach Steve Spurrier announced tonight.
Batchelor, a redshirt sophomore from Alabama, had been suspended for several weeks while dealing with personal issues and academic problems stemming from poor class attendance. Spurrier said Batchelor will try to return to school in January.
His departure and the lingering ankle injury to Jamon Meredith mean that Hutch Eckerson will go from the scout team into the starting lineup, Spurrier said.
In other news, two of the three players injured during the same play vs. Tennessee were able to practice Monday. Quarterback Stephen Garcia (hyperextended right knee) wore a brace on the knee, while tailback Eric Baker (thigh bruise) also was OK.
And while left guard Lemuel Jeanpierre will miss the rest of the regular season with a partially torn ligament in his right knee, the news for Jeanpierre was good, as well: The redshirt junior will not require surgery and could be back in time for a bowl game.
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