USC Football: Trent Mosley OUT against Rutgers, potentially longer

USC football star freshman Trent Mosley will miss the Big Ten opener against Rutgers, listed as OUT on the initial Big Ten injury report Wednesday. But the injury might not be limited to just one game, according to Lincoln Riley. “We’ll continue to monitor it moving forward. I don’t expect it to be extremely long term but still a bit inconclusive at this time depending on how he responds,” he said. “We’ll see. Certainly not going to be available this week.” Multiple WeAreSC.com sources expect at minimum a multiple week absence for Mosley. Sources indicate it’s a knee injury for the freshman, which occurred during USC’s 49-30 win over Louisiana, a game where Mosley recorded two total TDs. Mosley left the game after a 21-yard TD reception and had ice on his knee via the broadcast. Mosley, a four-star signee, currently leads the Trojans in receptions (13), receiving yards (255) and receiving scores (4). He also has an 86-yard punt return for a score, which he recorded on Saturday. “He did today what he does in practice. I don’t think anybody here is very surprised. That’s what he looks like most days right outside of Bloom,” said Riley in Week 0 after Mosley’s debut. “He’s a consistent player, an explosive player, and I thought he came in today and attacked it. He didn’t play hesitant, and he was a good weapon for us both offensively and in the special team’s game.” BECOME A WEARESC MEMBER TODAY! Sign up RIGHT NOW for $1 for the best coverage of USC football! Mosley was the No. 225 overall prospect and the No. 38 wide receiver in the Rivals Industry Rankings for 2026. This is the third major injury for USC this season along with center Kilian O’Connor (knee) and Jahkeem Stewart (foot). USC Wide Receiver Depth The loss of Trent Mosley is a significant one of the Trojans receiving core, but it has depth to stomach the loss. Junior transfer Terrell Anderson made his USC debut on Saturday after missing the first two weeks with injury. Anderson is expected to occupy a big role for the offense once he gets back up to speed. THe NC State transfer recorded 39 receptions for 629 yards with five TDs last season. Sophomore Tanook Hines, who missed all of spring camp, returned in Week 1 and caught a TD pass. Redshirt sophomore Zacharyus Williams could move into a starting role as Mosley’s backup. Williams caught his first collegiate TD against Louisiana, a 44-yard catch-and-run. Fellow freshman Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is currently the team’s second-leading receiver with 13 receptions for 181 yards and two scores. Williams or Anderson will also replace Mosley as USC’s primary punt returner. Anderson replaced Mosley in the second half and recorded a 13-yard punt return, his first touch as a Trojan. The Trojans (3-0) will head on the road this weekend to open Big Ten play against Rutgers (0-2). USC will return to host No. 21 Oregon in a pivotal matchup. Full Wednesday Injury Report Out: WR Trent Mosley S Kendarius Reddick LB Shaun Scott DT Brenden Cho LB Elijah Newby LB Taylor Johnson TE Taniela Tupou OL Kilian O’Connor Doubtful: S Madden Riordan Questionable: DL Jahkeem Stewart LB Jadyn Walker RB DeShonne Redeaux Want to talk with the WeAreSC.com staff and thousands of other USC fans about all the latest USC Trojans team and recruiting intel? CLICK HERE to join daily conversations about USC and much, much more on the site’s premium Trojan message board, the GarryP’s Trojan Huddle, dedicated to WeAreSC founder Garry Paskwietz.