On Saturday, the USC football team travels to Champaign for a top 25 showdown with Illinois. After four victories over relatively overmatched teams to start the season, this will mark the Trojans’ first opportunity in 2025 against a ranked opponent.
With it still being relatively early in the season, there has not been a ton of a time for injuries to pile up. However, there are still several notable updates for both teams heading into the matchup.
Who is expected to suit up on Saturday, and who is not? Let’s take a look:
Ja’Kobi Lane
While the junior wide receiver suited up for practice on Tuesday, his situation remains “inconclusive”, per head coach Lincoln Riley.
Prophet Brown
Per Riley, the redshirt senior cornerback will not return in the next few weeks, and is in danger of potentially being shut down for the season.
Alex Graham
The true freshman cornerback will not suit up against Illinois this week, but the Trojans are hopeful that they will get him back after their bye next week.
Elijah Paige
After leaving last Saturday’s game vs. Michigan State with an injury, the redshirt sophomore offensive lineman’s availability for the Illinois game is still up in the air.
On the Illinois side
The Illini will notably be without senior all-conference defensive back Xavier Scott, who underwent season-ending surgery earlier this week.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Injury updates before USC’s top 25 showdown with Illinois
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
