USC’s operating again depth took a critical hit throughout its 31-13 win over Michigan on Saturday, which triggered a operating again that was initially dominated out on the Massive Ten pregame damage report back to play. USC operating backs Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders each exited the sport in opposition to the Wolverines and did not return, inflicting Bryan Jackson — who hadn’t performed since Week 1 on account of a turf toe damage — to play.

After the sport, Riley addressed why Jackson performed, citing it was a “wellness challenge” and that this system was in touch with the league workplace. Jackson’s first carry of the night time got here halfway via the fourth quarter.

“Distinctive scenario,” Riley mentioned. “It was a wellness challenge clearly within the recreation. He has been practising in a really restricted capability within the construct up the final a number of weeks. He had a turf toe. There was the expectation coming into this recreation that outdoors of the close to disaster that we weren’t going to play him.

“The sport performs out, we’ve a few accidents that you just clearly by no means count on to occur. We have been in a position to get into communication with the league workplace and clarify the scenario. Our medical doctors medically cleared him. Once more, it simply turned a wellness challenge for us. We made certain to clear it.”

Jackson completed with 5 carries for 35 yards and scored a 29-yard dashing landing with 4:21 remaining in regulation to increase USC’s result in 18. The operating again who received the majority of the work with Sanders and Jordan out was King Miller, who ran for 156 yards and a landing.

The Massive Ten pregame damage report was launched in 2023.