University of South Florida junior RG Zach Hermann will miss his second consecutive game with a neck injury, and could be out significantly longer, Coach Jim Leavitt said.

“It could be, yeah,” Leavitt said. “This is the second game already. That’s not something that’s casual.”

Hermann missed last week’s game at Rutgers after starting the first eight games of the season. Junior RT Jake Sims moved inside to Hermann’s spot against the Scarlet Knights and freshman Mark Popek started at right tackle.

Wide receiver Carlton Mitchell, DT Aaron Harris, DE Jason Pierre-Paul and LB Chris Robinson are also trying to fight through various injuries.

“They’re all getting there. All of them practiced in a limited way,” Leavitt said. “They’re all going to play, but the one that might not is Mitchell. … Chris is ready to go. Pierre-Paul is ready to go. (Harris) is going to be OK. He’ll play.”

IN HINDSIGHT: RB Jamar Taylor’s sore knee is not getting better, and it looks like his contributions for the remainder of the season could be minimal. Taylor looked like he was heading for a medical redshirt after injuring his knee in preseason camp, but has played sparingly in the past three games. 

“I feel bad about it because I don’t have a crystal ball,” Leavitt said. “If I would’ve known that it would’ve been re-aggravated like this, I wouldn’t have played him. So that’s on me. You have to make a decision. He was running around looking like a million bucks and he ran hard in the Pittsburgh game.”

ODDS AND ENDS: USF’s regular-season finale at Connecticut Dec. 5 will kick off at 8 p.m. and be televised by ESPN2. … Leavitt was undecided whether Faron Hornes will remain as punt return after muffing a punt against Rutgers. Leavitt said Patrick Richardson, Theo Wilson, Lindsey Lamar and Nate Allen have been getting looks there this week.