Relatively Positive USC Trojans Injury Update From Lincoln Riley

Aside from losing the game, one of the biggest losses that the USC Trojans sustained last Saturday was losing starting center Kilian O’Connor to an injury. He went down in the first half with a leg injury and returned to the sideline in the second half on crutches.

The optics looked as if he was all but done for the season.

We still do not know exactly what the injury is, but it appears that it will not be season-ending.

USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley spoke to the media on Tuesday and gave an update on his starting center.

Lincoln Riley Says USC Trojans C Kilian O’Connor Could Return This Season

After Tuesday’s practice, Coach Riley provided an update saying that O’Connor would miss the next 2 games, but it looks like he can return this year.

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Now, that is a very broad statement, but it at least provides some hope. In saying that he will miss the next 2 games, it alludes to him missing at least 3 weeks, considering the team is on a bye this week.

The Trojans’ next 2 games are against Michigan at home and then against Notre Dame in South Bend. Then they get their 2nd bye of the season before traveling to Lincoln to play Nebraska on November 1st. That really gives O’Connor the entire month of October to get back to health before the last month of the season.

J’Onre Reed came in for O’Connor during the Illinois game and struggled. He posted a 48.0 total PFF grade and a 31.1 pass blocking grade on 60 total snaps.

There is still plenty of hope, however. Reed was brought in as a transfer from Syracuse and was presumed to be the starting center all offseason. He has a ton of experience, tremendous size, and a lot of talent. The bye week will help get fully up to speed with the starting unit.

This is where your depth and roster building really show. Reed can prove that he was one of the more underrated transfer portal signings.