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USC WR Terrell Anderson Ruled Out for Season Opener Due to Injury
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- USC WR Terrell Anderson Ruled Out for Season Opener Due to Injury
The USC Trojans enter the 2026 college football season with significant expectations after a 9-4 campaign ended with an overtime loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl.
USC returns redshirt-senior quarterback Jayden Maiava but has rebuilt a receiving corps that lost Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane to the NFL. Sophomore Tanook Hines is the lone returning starter, with several transfers and freshmen expected to take on immediate roles on offense.
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One of the most prominent offseason additions was NC State transfer Terrell Anderson , who averaged 16.1 yards per reception and scored five touchdowns in the ACC last season.
USC Trojans wide receiver Terrell Anderson (9) when he was a member of the Former North Carolina State Wolfpack.Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
Anderson's absence from USC's initial depth chart , released on Wednesday, raised questions ahead of Saturday's season-opening matchup against San Jose State .
On3's Pete Nakos provided an answer on Anderson's availability on Friday, reporting that the wideout has been ruled out for the San Jose State game because of an undisclosed injury. According to Nakos, USC is holding the receiver out as a precaution.
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That leaves freshmen Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Trent Mosley positioned for larger roles. Dixon-Wyatt is the man to focus on, however, as he appeared in Anderson's expected spot on the depth chart and could receive the starting assignment as USC begins the season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Trojans are already monitoring another significant receiver injury. Hines underwent an offseason procedure and missed much of fall camp, although coach Lincoln Riley said his activity had increased over the previous 10 to 14 days.
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"He's definitely progressed enough to kind of look like himself, which has been great," Riley said, adding that Hines is a game-time decision against San Jose State.
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With Anderson unavailable and Hines uncertain, freshmen Mosley and Dixon-Wyatt are listed as starters, while Ethan "Boobie" Feaster and Tron Baker are among the other young options behind them.
USC opens the season Saturday against San Jose State, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. ET.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
