USC Trojans Injury Update: Jahkeem Stewart, Alex Graham, Chasen Johnson OUT

The USC Trojans open the 2025 season at home against Missouri State on Saturday, Aug. 30. USC coach Lincoln Riley provided an injury update on freshmen defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart and defensive back Alex Graham, as well as sophomore cornerback Chasen Johnson ahead of the matchup.

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC Trojans fans will have to wait another week to see the much-anticipated debuts of freshmen defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart and defensive back Alex Graham. The two of them will be out for the Trojans season opener against Missouri State on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Stewart was seen in walking boot late last week at the Trojans Salute to Troy event to kickoff the 2025 season and continued to wear it this week.

"Jahkeem won't play, he's not ready. It's close but won't play in the first one here," said USC coach Lincoln Riley.

Here are the Trojans full reports.

USC Trojans

OUT

4 Jahkeem Stewart
15 Anthony Beavers Jr.
16 Prophet Brown
21 Chasen Johnson
27 Alex Graham
45 Caden Chittenden

Defensive Front

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Stewart was listed as second on the depth chart at defensive tackle, and because of his position flexibility, he is someone that is expected to play some defensive end as well this season. Teams never want to take an opponent lightly, but with the Trojans playing a Group of Five opponent in the opener, there's no need to rush Stewart back into the lineup.

A year ago, depth on the defensive line was a concern. This season, it could be the team's deepest position group. Redshirt junior Devan Thompkins and sophomore Jide Abasiri will start at the two interior defensive line positions. Transfers Keeshawn Silver and Jamaal Jarrett and freshman Floyd Boucard will rotate in behind them.

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Redshirt senior Kobe Pepe, who has been limited during fall camp will also be available on the defensive line. Redshirt freshman Carlon Jones and Brendan Cho were not on the initial depth chart, but they will also be available on Saturday.

USC Secondary

Jul 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USC head coach Lincoln Riley 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

Graham was expected to step in at the nickel spot for redshirt senior Prophet Brown, who suffered a non-contact lower body injury during the second week of fall camp, but the Detroit native will also be out on Saturday.

DJ Harvey is listed as a starter at one of the outside cornerbacks but is someone that has also worked in at the nickel spot and could play more of that role with Graham and Brown out. The Trojans have expressed a ton of confidence in redshirt freshmen Braylon Conley and Marcelles Williams, so they could feel comfortable enough to slide Harvey into the slot.

Redshirt sophomore cornerback Kevin Longstreet, sophomore safety Kennedy Urlacher, freshman James Johnson will be a few names to keep an eye on to step into the nickel position.

Redshirt junior safety Kamari Ramsey got extended reps at nickel in the spring and already drops down in dime packages and junior safety Christian Pierce takes his place in the backend.

Chasen Johnson Update

Oct 26, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Central Florida Knights cornerback Chasen Johnson (27) is flagged for pass interference against Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) in the first half at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

Sophomore cornerback Chasen Johnson has been limited for the last few weeks, which prevented him from competing for one of the starting cornerback spots in camp.

"Chasen Johnson will be a game-time decision," Riley said. "Look at him a little bit, moving around pretty good, but we'll look at him a little bit tomorrow."

His availability could dictate what the Trojans decide to do against Missouri State at the three cornerback positions. And because he wasn't available during camp, he will need live game reps to establish a spot in the rotation.