Adam Grosbard (OC Register)  —  LOS ANGELES — USC was back at work Tuesday following its bye week in preparation for a game at Arizona. But not every Trojan was back in action.

Wide receiver Jordan Addison (leg) and linebacker Eric Gentry (ankle) remained sidelined after suffering injuries in the Week 7 loss to Utah. And linebacker Ralen Goforth was a new addition to the inactive list.

Head coach Lincoln Riley described all three as day-to-day as the Trojans prepare for the trip to Tucson.

“I think everybody’s going to be fine,” Riley said Tuesday. “We’ll see how they progress throughout the week.”

If the trio finds themselves unavailable Saturday, USC will find its depth chart challenged really for the first time this season, particularly at linebacker.

Gentry (left) has been a starter at outside linebacker and a revelation since his transfer from Arizona State. Goforth has been the third man at the position and has had to play a lot the past two games with the other starter, Shane Lee, dealing with a hand injury that kept him out against Arizona State and had him playing in a cast against Utah.

So if Gentry and Goforth are out Saturday, Tuasivi Nomura and Raesjon Davis could see time against the Wildcats.

The redshirt junior Nomura (44) had nine career tackles entering the season. But he’s gotten some more run this season, particularly with 35 snaps against Utah following Gentry’s injury in the second half.

And he’s impressed Riley with his toughness. The head coach noted Tuesday that in Week 3 against Fresno State, Nomura suffered a compound fracture of his finger in the middle of a play and had his bone protruding from the skin.

But Nomura stayed in the game for an additional three plays before alerting a trainer.

“And played well, like had two tackles,” Riley said. “Tells you about his toughness and about how much he wants to do well for this team.”

The sophomore Davis has been more of a contributor on special teams this year, but has done that job well and could be ready for a larger role.

“Really progressing defensively,” Riley said. “I think one of those guys that’s right on the cusp of playing significant reps and earning time there.”

Receiver, on the other hand, has always been one of the deeper positions for USC. Certainly losing Addison, the most dynamic target for quarterback Caleb Williams on the roster, would be a blow. But the Trojans have an array of veteran receivers who can make an impact with or without Addison.

And some that have been earning more and more playing time on their own, too.

Sophomore Michael Jackson III (9) only played one snap in USC’s first six games as he recovered from injuries. But he broke through after Addison’s injury against Utah with a play that looked like it had been drawn up with Addison in mind.

From the Utah 20, Jackson was lined out wide left. He took a few steps forward as if running a route, then retreated back behind the line of scrimmage to catch a screen pass. He ran behind a Tahj Washington block and made a tackler miss as he made his way to his first career touchdown.

“He had just such a string of nagging injuries, and I know his frustration level was at a boiling point. But again, another great example of, if you hang in there, then good things can happen,” Riley said. “He runs well with the ball. He’s an aggressive, tough, physical, competitive player.”

ocregister.com

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