USC’s injury report for Saturday’s clash with Oregon got a small but notable update, and it comes at a time when every available body matters.
The Trojans enter the No. 12 vs. No. 20 matchup at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a few key names still in question, but running back Deshonne Redeaux is the biggest shift on the latest Big Ten availability report.
After being listed as questionable, he moved to probable on Thursday. That was the lone change from Wednesday’s report.
Wide receiver Corey Simms remains out, while freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley is still doubtful after missing USC’s Big Ten opener against Rutgers. Defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, safety Alex Graham and linebacker Jadyn Walker are all listed as questionable.
For USC, the timing of Stewart’s status stands out. The freshman defensive tackle has missed the first four games of the season, but Lincoln Riley said Monday that the Trojans are making real progress with his recovery.
"He's continuing to rest and get healthier. We do feel like we're going to have him here at some point.
But it's kind of touch-and-go as that goes on," Riley said. "You're trying to manage time to rest while not being too conservative with it.
We're definitely making progress. He's definitely getting better and better each week and hopefully not too far away."
Stewart’s potential return would be a major boost for a defense that still has plenty to clean up. USC allowed Rutgers to hang around in a 42-35 win, and cornerback Prophet Brown said the Trojans know the standard has to rise in the biggest moments.
"Just knowing situations, you got to get off the field at the end of the day. It’s not good to let drives get extended, and the great defenses find a way to get off the field on third and fourth down," Brown said.
“Going into this game is definitely going to be a big indicator of how it’s going to go, how we do on third and fourth down,” Brown continued.
Saturday’s game could turn on that side of the ball. USC and Oregon bring two of college football’s most dangerous offenses into a matchup where both defenses have shown cracks, and the Trojans are trying to end a four-game losing streak in the rivalry series.
The latest DraftKings Sportsbook odds list USC as a three-point underdog. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT on NBC.
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USCs Upset Shot Vs Oregon May Hinge On One Injury Question
The injury reports are in ahead of Oregons conference game with USC, and both sides are dealing with absences that could shape how the night unfolds. The Ducks will be without Jeremiah McClellan, Trent Ferguson, Brayden Platt, and Simeon Price, thinning out depth in areas they would prefer to keep intact this late in the season.
USCs list is just as notable, with Jahkeem Stewart and Trent Mosley among the Trojans dealing with injuries and several others tagged questionable or probable. For a matchup that already carries upset intrigue, availability may end up mattering as much as scheme, and the Trojans chances of making this one interesting could come down to who is able to answer the bell when kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon's USC Game Could Put Andrew Olesh In A Huge Spotlight
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Olesh has quietly turned himself into a credible next man up, with noticeable growth as both a pass blocker and a receiver. If the Ducks end up needing him in a bigger role against USC, it would be another meaningful step in his development and a chance to earn even more trust in one of Oregons biggest games of the season. [Read more 🡒]
USC Receiver Depth Suddenly Matters A Lot More Before Oregon
With Oregon coming into view, USCs receiver room suddenly has a little more weight on it after Terrell Anderson spent most of training camp sidelined by an injury and was limited in practice. Lincoln Riley said Anderson has been recovering and recently completed his first full healthy week, a small but meaningful step for a player the Trojans were hoping to get integrated before the matchup tightened up.
Riley said he expects Anderson to keep improving and has confidence in what he can add moving forward, which matters for a USC offense that will want as many reliable options as possible against Oregon. The Ducks have a way of exposing any depth issues, so Andersons return to full work gives USC at least a chance to widen its passing game before one of the biggest tests on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]