Official Injury Report USC Trojans vs. Maryland Terrapins: Lake McRee Healthy, Starts

USC Trojans tight end Lake McRee has been sidelined since Week 4 after he took a low hit from Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill early in the third quarter. McRee has practiced each of the last two weeks, and he is listed as "Questionable" for the matchup with Maryland.
Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans tight end Lake McRee (87) against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans tight end Lake McRee (87) against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC Trojans tight end Lake McRee has returned to the team, starting the game with the Trojans offense. McRee was listed as "Questionable" for USC's game against Maryland Saturday afternoon. McRee started on USC's first offensive drive

Mcree been sidelined since Week 4 after he took a low hit from Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill early in the third quarter. When McRee hobbled off the field and into the medical tent, it was uncertain or not whether the redshirt junior would suit up for the Trojans again this season.

McRee returned to the practice field last week ahead of the Penn State game and was seen running routes on air but was ultimately held out of the game. He was back on the field again this week in full pads. USC coach Lincoln Riley provided an update for McRee ahead of Saturday's game at Maryland.

"We've missed him," Riley said. "I mean there's no way to replace all the experience and playmaking ability. He does so many things for this offense, and I give Kade Eldridge and Walker Lyons credit, they've come in some big boy ball games and have played a lot of snaps, you know for two pretty inexperienced dudes, they've handled it well."

Here are the official availability reports for USC and Maryland, released at 11 a.m. PT.

USC

Out

6 Anthony Lucas (season)
18 Eric Gentry (season)
59 Micah Banuelos
66 Gino Quinones

Questionable

14 Jacobe Covington
87 Lake McRee

Lake McRee
Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans tight end Lake McRee (87) against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Maryland

Out

2 Braydon Lee(season)
6 Brandon Jacob
51 Dylan Gooden
54 Deandre Duffus
61 Michael Hershey
81 Jahmari Powell-Wonson
90 Lavon Johnson

Questionable

12 DanteTrader Jr.

McRee was having his best season to date when he went down against Michigan, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards. He caught a career-high five passes in the Trojans season opener against LSU and recorded a career-high in receiving yards (81) against Utah State. Tight end production has been limited with McRee out of the lineup, Eldridge and Lyons have combined for three receptions for 15 yards.

"He's close I don't know 100% that it'll be this week or next week based on if he continues to progress and doesn't have any setbacks which is honestly a little bit ahead of where we hoped it would be after he got hurt up at Michigan. After that type of hit you'd be thankful to get him back any time this year. He's such a grinder I don't think anybody's surprised, but it'd be a bonus to have him this week, but if we don't have him this week, I feel confident that we would have him the following."

However, in his absence, sophomore receivers Ja'Kobi Lane, Makai Lemon and Duce Robinson have emerged in the Trojans offense. Lane had a career-day of his own in week 5 against Wisconsin when he reeled in 10 receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Lemon had the best game of his career against Penn State when he caught six passes for 73 yards. Robinson has caught a touchdown in three of the last four games.

USC will travel to College Park on Saturday, Oct. 16 to take on the Maryland Terrapins. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. PT and will air on FS1.

MORE: Unfair Officiating Against USC Trojans? Lincoln Riley Speaks Up

MORE: USC Trojans' Lincoln Riley Shuts Down Miller Moss Starting Quarterback Questions

MORE: Viliami Moala Flips Commitment From 'Dream School' USC Trojans to Oregon Ducks

MORE: USC Trojans Surprising Injury Update: Eric Gentry will Redshirt Due to Concussions

MORE: USC Trojans' Lincoln Riley: 'We've Played The Toughest Schedule In The Country'

MORE: USC Trojans Injury Update: Defensive End Anthony Lucas Out for Season?

MORE: Everything Maryland Terrapins Coach Michael Locksley Said About USC Trojans


Published |Modified
Kendell Hollowell
KENDELL HOLLOWELL

Kendell Hollowell, a Southern California native has been been covering collegiate athletics since 2020 via radio and digital journalism. His experience includes covering programs such as the USC Trojans, Vanderbilt Commodores and Alabama Crimson Tide. Kendell He also works in TV production for the NFL Network. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kendell was a collegiate athlete on the University of Wyoming and Adams State football team. He is committed to bringing in-depth insight and analysis for USC athletics.