USC’s superstar freshman may be getting closer to a return.
After missing the Trojans’ Big Ten opener with an unspecified injury, wide receiver Trent Mosley was listed as doubtful on the availability report issued Wednesday.
That’s an encouraging development going into No. 12 USC’s showdown against No. 20 Oregon on Saturday at the Coliseum.
Mosley has a possible right knee injury after he was shown with a bag of ice on it during the television broadcast of the Trojans’ victory over Louisiana earlier this month.
With Mosley out last week, fellow freshman wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt stepped up with a team-leading five catches for 77 yards.
Wide receiver Corey Simms, who also had a big game with four catches for 72 yards and a touchdown, was listed as out for the game against the Ducks after clutching his left knee and coming off the field after making a catch early in the fourth quarter.
USC’s other players who will miss Saturday’s game include center Kilian O’Connor, who is out for the season, safety Kendarius Reddick and reserve linebacker Taylor “Taybo” Johnson.
Defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, who appeared on the verge of a return from a foot injury in each of the last two weeks, was listed as questionable.
Trojans coach Lincoln Riley said earlier this week that there was no setback with Stewart’s recovery from the injury that has sidelined him since the start of the season.
“He’s continuing to rest, continuing to get healthier,” Riley said. “We do feel like we’re going to have him here at some point. But it’s a little bit kind of touch-and-go as that goes on, trying to manage … the time to rest without being too conservative with it. And so we’re definitely making progress. He’s definitely getting better and better each week.”
This was the first of four availability reports that will be issued before the game, with the final report coming two hours before kickoff.
While USC linebacker Elijah Newby was listed as probable, safety Alex Graham, running back Deshonne Redeaux and linebacker Jadyn Walker were listed as questionable.
Oregon will be without its own star in wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan after coach Dan Lanning disclosed earlier this week that McClellan had suffered a broken foot in warmups before the Ducks’ 84-0 dismantling of Portland State. McClellan had led his team in receiving through the first two games, making six catches for 151 yards and a touchdown during Oregon’s season-opening victory over Boise State.
Of course, the Trojans won’t feel sorry for their counterparts if Mosley can’t go Saturday. He had established himself as one of the nation’s top receivers through the first three games, making 13 catches for 255 yards and four touchdowns to go with an 86-yard punt return for another score.
