It was about time that the USC Trojans under Lincoln Riley got their Hollywood swag back. While the job isn’t yet done, after a 31-13 win over Michigan. Still, it seems like some of that Hollywood flair is finally showing. While everything looks optimistic now, losing running back Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders to injury is still concerning. Not to mention, doubts remain about Bryan Jackson’s injury as well.

Despite the absence of Eli Sanders, the rushing unit performed exceptionally for USC. For one, King Miller, with his 158-yard rushing performance, didn’t let the need for Sanders be felt. But other RBs like Waymond Jordan and Bryan Jackson also became pivotal as Jackson scored an incredible 29-yard rushing touchdown. Moreover, according to Riley, Bryan Jackson will finally return permanently to the team.

After a Week 1 game appearance, we didn’t see Jackson feature in the team due to an injury. The nature of the injury was fairly undisclosed, and reports indicated it to be a turf toe injury. But now, Lincoln Riley has finally clarified the specifics. “It was a wellness issue, obviously, in the game. He has been practicing in a very limited capacity in the build-up to the last several weeks. He had a turf toe. There was the expectation coming into this game that, outside of the near catastrophe that we weren’t going to play him,” said Lincoln Riley in the post-game presser.

But despite Jackson not featuring in earlier games, including against Illinois. Now, Riley said that the doctors had “cleared him,” and Jackson will be regular now in games. “We were able to get into communication with the league office and explain the situation. Our doctors medically cleared him. Again, it just became a wellness issue for us. We made sure to clear it,” announced Riley. As for Eli Sanders’ injury, the issue looks concerning.

While the injuries of Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders signal woes in the RB, Lincoln Riley laughed them off and remarked that he might “have to carry the ball” himself now. That alone tells that the issues, at least for Jordan, aren’t concerning, and as per various reports, he will return against Notre Dame in Week 8. However, Eli Sanders’ injury can even be season-ending since Lincoln Riley himself called the injury “not looking good” for the rest of the season. But does that blow affect Riley’s chances going ahead in the season?

Will Eli Sanders’ absence affect Lincoln Riley’s playoff hopes?

The USC Trojans, after defeating a 15th-ranked Michigan team, surely have the required confidence. Right from Jayden Maiava notching up a 90.2 QB rating owing to his 265 passing yards at 78% efficiency, to the D line performing exceptionally, executing 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss, everything is clicking now for the team. But the running game still has to work if Riley wants to make the playoffs.

“Everyone is worrying about their six square feet, and not worrying about the other man’s job. And when you do that, you got people on the same page. Then it takes care of itself. We have explosive running backs, great o-line, so that also helps too. But I think everyone’s really locked into the game plan and knew what they were doing,” said tight end Lake McRee after the USC game, praising the O line for enabling the running game.

Eli Sanders was to be the major player going ahead for the Trojans. The 5’10” and 200 lbs RB came from New Mexico after rushing 1,063 yards in 2024 and has 264 yards already to his name in 2025. It was then expected that Sanders would continue on his UNM performance; however, the injury setback is unprecedented for Riley. That said, USC’s third-string running back, King Miller, stepping up is a major sign, and so Riley won’t have much cause for concern. Notably, King Miller is a redshirt freshman and a homegrown product of Riley.