USC’s Taylor Stallworth targets return from shoulder injury

Taylor Stallworth is waiting patiently for his chance to practice.

South Carolina’s sophomore defensive tackle is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle in his right shoulder. He’s hoping to be cleared to practice this week or next.

“I know it’s going to be tough because I haven’t put on pads since the bowl game,” Stallworth said. “I just have to get used to the speed and get back into the rotation.”

The 6-foot-2, 308-pound Stallworth tore the muscle while bench pressing during winter workouts. He missed all of spring practice and remains on the sideline this preseason.

Stallworth, from Mobile, Ala., stayed at USC in May to train, run and work out with USC’s strength staff. He did extra work in June and July to stay in shape and keep his weight down, he said.

“I feel better,” he said. “All I’m doing right now is getting my strength back in my arm and doing everything the trainers tell me to do to get me back on the field.”

Stallworth was listed as a second-teamer on the preseason depth chart at USC’s three-technique tackle spot.

He spends much of practice off to the side with strength coaches. When the offense and defense come together for team drills, Stallworth is there to take mental reps, listen to calls and see where mistakes are made.

He can’t wait to build on the action he saw in 2014 as a true freshman. Stallworth had eight tackles in eight games, including three stops each against South Alabama and Miami.

“I was really truly blessed as a true freshman,” he said. “I feel like my expectations for myself are bigger, to be better than I was last year and work harder than I did.”