Report: Big Ten fines USC $5,000 for playing RB Bryan Jackson vs. Michigan

The Big Ten fined USC for playing running back Bryan Jackson against Michigan Saturday, per CBS Sports‘ Richard Johnson. Jackson initially was ruled out for the game but suited up at halftime and played in the second half.

“BREAKING: Big Ten spokesperson tells CBS Sports the conference has fined USC $5,000 for playing RB Bryan Jackson in Saturday’s game against Michigan,” Johnson wrote on Twitter/X. “Jackson was initially listed as “out” on the final availability report before the game. Jackson did not initially dress for the game, but after injuries to other running backs in the first half of the game, Jackson was medically cleared to play and suited up. He finished with 5 carries, 35 yards including a 29-yard TD.”

Head coach Lincoln Riley was asked postgame about the situation, prior to the fine. He said Jackson was cleared and they were in communication with the league office. But it turns out, the Big Ten decided to implement the fine.

“Yeah, it’s a unique situation,” Riley said postgame. “It was a wellness issue in the game. He’s been practicing in a very limited capacity and building up for the last several weeks. He’s had a turf toe. There was an expectation coming into this game that outside of a near catastrophe, we weren’t going to play him. And so the game plays out. We have a couple injuries that you never expect to happen. Two of them, just like that. We were able to get in communication with the league office and explain the situation. 

“Our doctors medically cleared him, and again, it just became a wellness issue for us here. We made sure to clear him. The kid was ready to go and stepped up. That’s what you gotta have, man. You gotta have tough guys to play through stuff if you want to win at this level. You have guys that sacrifice like that for the team.”

Jackson ran five times for 35 yards and a touchdown in the 31-13 win over Michigan. USC is now 5-1 on the season and ranked No. 20 in the country.

Jackson only has 10 carries for 46 yards and two touchdowns on the year. But, he could slowly return to full health as the weeks progress.

As a freshman in 2024, Jackson had 36 carries for 188 yards and a touchdown for the Trojans. When his number was called, he stepped up.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Jackson was a three-star recruit out of McKinney (Texas) High, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. He was the No. 100 overall prospect in the state, the No. 51 running back in the class and the No. 636 overall prospect in the class.