UPDATE: Shaw’s cause of injury under investigation

The story behind USC senior defensive back Josh Shaw’s recent ankle injury took a bizarre turn today, as the validity of his version of events came into question. Head coach Steve Sarkisian announced at practice this morning that the athletic department had received several calls questioning Shaw’s claims that he suffered two high ankle sprains in the act of saving his young nephew from drowning last Saturday night. Sarkisian voiced his support of the newly named co-captain, but was clear that USC would investigate the incident further.

“Within the last few hours or so we have gotten a few calls contradicting what Josh said occurred Saturday night,” Sarkisian said. “We’re going to continue to vet it. We’re going to look at it.”

The incident, which took place in Shaw’s home of Palmdale, California, came under further scrutiny when anonymous sources later claimed that there was a police inquiry underway. The Palmdale Sheriff’s Department quickly denied that they had any information on an investigation regarding Shaw, followed by a similar denial from the Los Angeles Police Department.

LAPD, which had planned a news conference this afternoon, was adamant that it had nothing to do with Shaw.

As a mob of reporters circled around him this morning, Sarkisian defended Shaw’s character and stood behind him.

“He’s a good person,” Sarkisian said. “He’s a good kid. He came to us with what had occurred Saturday night and I have no reason, no history to not believe Josh and his story.”

Check dailytrojan.com for further updates.