USC Trojans Official Injury Report Shows Who Is Out vs. Purdue

The USC Trojans head to West Lafayette to take on the Purdue Boilermakers as they open Big Ten play. What is the latest on the availability of freshman defensive back Alex Graham and will sophomore running back Bryan Jackson return to the lineup?

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches from the sidelines against the Missouri State Bears in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans will be on the road for the first time this season to take on Purdue, as they open Big Ten play on Saturday, Sep. 13.

USC Trojans Injury Report

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after the game against the Missouri State Bears at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

OUT

Zacharyus Williams, Wide Receiver

Prophet Brown, Cornerback

Prince Strachan, Wide Receiver

Bryan Jackson, Running Back

Alex Graham, Cornerback

Caden Chittenden, Kicker

Here's who is out injured today for USC football. No surprises. Tobias Raymond is good to go.

#0 Zacharyus Williams
#16 Prophet Brown
#17 Prince Strachan
#21 Bryan Jackson
#27 Alex Graham
#45 Caden Chittenden

— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) September 13, 2025

Secondary 

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Missouri State Bears wide receiver Dash Luke (1) catches the ball against Southern California Trojans cornerback Marcelles Williams (25) and linebacker Matai Tagoa'i (44) in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Freshman defensive back Alex Graham will remain out. Graham was in line to be the starting nickel this season, but suffered an injury just before the first game and has been out of the lineup since. 

Without Graham and Prophet Brown, who suffered a significant lower body injury the second week of fall camp, both out, the Trojans have mixed things up in the secondary. 

The Trojans have moved Kamari Ramsey down to the nickel spot and Christian Pierce and Bishop Fitzgerald have started at the two safety positions in each of the first two games. 

Jul 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USC safety Kamari Ramsey speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images | Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

When Ramsey moves back to safety, Kevin Longstreet has been playing nickel. Chasen Johnson returned a week ago, after missing a majority of fall camp and week one, giving USC more depth at cornerback. 

With Johnson back, the Trojans rotated five players at the two cornerback spots in the first half. Something defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn said they will cut down on with Big Ten play beginning this weekend. DeCarlos Nicholson is a lock to start at one the spots. DJ Harvey started in week 1, while Braylon Conley earned his first career start opposite Nicholson in week 2.

Marcelles Williams is the other cornerback that has factored into the rotation. Who it will be opposite Nicholson and what the snap count will look like against Purdue remains to be seen.

Wide Receiver 

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Prince Strachan (17) carries the ball against the Missouri State Bears in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Prince Strachan was back at practice this week after suffering an ankle injury in week one that kept him out last week. Despite this, he will not play against Purdue.

The Trojans have played more 12 personnel this season than at any point under Lincoln Riley. Star receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon have played a majority of the snaps with the first team. 

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Freshman Tanook Hines is the team’s third receiver. Zacharyus Williams has been the first receiver to get in the game after those guys. Williams is out vs. the Boilermakers.

Jaden Richardson has been impressive as a run blocker, which assuredly be a big reason why he continues to get reps. Jay Fair and DJ Jordan have also received reps with Jayden Maiava under center. 

Running Back

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Waymond Jordan (2) carries the ball against the Missouri State Bears in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bryan Jackson was out a week ago. The Trojans sophomore running back is listed as third on the depth chart and will miss another game. Waymond Jordan has started each of the first two games, with Eli Sanders rotating in. 

Jordan had a coming out party in week 2 against Georgia Southern, rushing for 167 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown. Sanders had two touchdowns himself. 

King Miller broke a long run for the second consecutive week, this time for 41 yards. The redshirt freshman walk-on is starting to make a name for himself in a crowded running back room. 

Freshman Harry Dalton got his first taste of carrying the football in a live game, finishing with 24 yards on three rushing attempts.