Availability reports need to be accurate
The Big Ten fines USC for violation of the availability report originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Availability reports, or injury reports in other sports, exist for a reason and must be accurate. A lesson USC learned this week. When RB Bryan Jackson of USC entered the game vs Michigan, he did so with an "out" injury designation. According to the availability report, if a player has an “out” designation on the final availability report prior to the start of the game, that player is viewed as ineligible. Even if the two running backs ahead of him are sidelined with in-game injuries.
Running backs Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders suffered injuries in the Michigan game. Team doctors had cleared Bryan Jackson medically, but only in an “emergency scenario”. Which would have been fine. If USC changed his injury designation prior to the kickoff of that game. Jackson had been sidelined for every game except week 1 while dealing with a turf toe injury. In a statement provided to CBS Sports, the Big Ten conference detailed their decision.
"On Saturday, USC listed a student-athlete as 'out' on its availability report for the game against Michigan, but that student-athlete later participated in the game," the Big Ten said in a statement to CBS Sports. "The student-athlete had previously been sidelined due to injury and did not initially dress in uniform for the game; however, following a sequence of unfortunate injuries that occurred in the first half at the student-athlete's position, he was medically cleared to play, suited up, and later entered the game.”
"Although these circumstances were unfortunate, it is critical for availability reports to be accurate. Consequently, the conference is imposing a $5,000 fine and admonishes all institutions to use the 'out' designation only if there are no circumstances under which a student-athlete could participate in a game. The conference considers the matter closed and will have no further comment."
Head Coach Lincoln Riley claims USC attempted to address this issue with the Big Ten prior to the assessed fine. Riley claimed the situation in the 4th quarter of that USC vs Michigan game presented extenuating circumstances. Regardless of the circumstances, the availability reports must remain accurate. Jackson entering a game under any circumstance while listed as “out” is a violation of that policy. Coach Riley chose to view it as a wellness issue and not a violation of established policy.
"Unique situation," Riley said. "It was a wellness issue obviously in the game. He has been practicing in a very limited capacity in the build up the last several weeks. He had a turf toe. There was the expectation coming into this game that outside of the near catastrophe that we weren't going to play him. The game plays out, we have a couple of injuries that you obviously never expect to happen," he continued. "We were able to get into communication with the league office and explain the situation. Our doctors medically cleared him. Again, it just became a wellness issue for us. We made sure to clear it.
Riley’s motivation is understandable but still presents a violation to the policy. The player in question can be medically cleared to play. He can be an emergency only player. The injury type doesn’t matter, and the duration of time out doesn’t matter. If a player enters a game while carrying an “out” designation, that player is viewed as ineligible to enter the game. No matter what the situation is.
The injury to Wayland Jordan especially will be a concern for USC moving forward. Jordan has just under 600 yards rushing for USC in 2025 and is currently 3rd among all Big Ten running backs. Jordan is expected to undergo surgery to repair the injured ankle and likely to miss four to six weeks. Eli Sanders injury has not as of yet been confirmed but Coach Riley was not optimistic.
“Eli’s injury doesn’t look super positive in terms of the rest of the season”
USC enters a three-game stretch that includes #13 Notre Dame, #25 Nebraska, and a Northwestern team that beat Penn State. The Trojans will need to look to Bryan Jackson and walk-on second year freshman King Miller to carry the load until the immediate future of Wayland Jordan and Eli Sanders are clearer.
USC travels to South Bend to take on Notre Dame this week. That game will kick off at 7:30pm eastern and broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
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Category: General Sports
