Barring a last-minute recovery, USC middle linebacker Rey Maualuga won’t play against Oregon on Saturday because of a sprained right knee.

Maualuga missed practice for the third consecutive day.

Brian Cushing took most of the reps at middle linebacker Wednesday, with Michael Morgan sliding into Cushing’s strong-side spot.

Backup middle linebacker Chris Galippo, on the mend from back surgery, will play but probably won’t start.