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Elijah Paige injury update: USC starter out against Michigan

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney10/11/25ErikTMcKinney
USC tackle Elijah Paige
USC tackle Elijah Paige (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

USC left tackle Elijah Paige is listed as “questionable” on the Big Ten availability report as the big lineman continues to battle an injury suffered three weeks ago during a game against Michigan State.

(STORY UPDATE: Paige will not play for USC today as he is not in uniform as the team comes out of the locker room for warmups).

The 6-foot-7, 325-pound tackle was injured while blocking for an extra point in the second quarter against the Spartans and did not return to that game. He was listed as questionable two weeks ago against Illinois. While Paige did warm up lightly ahead of that contest, he never got into full uniform and did not play.

Riley spoke about Paige this past Tuesday after practice and it wasn’t a foregone conclusion at that time as to whether or not he would play.

“I think he’s got a chance,” Riley said of Paige playing against Michigan. “It’s not a shoo-in. It’s kind of been a nagging injury that he’s dealt with…The bye week was definitely helpful. We’re in a better place certainly than we were a couple weeks ago. Gotta see how the rest of the week plays out.”

If Paige doesn’t play, USC would flip Justin Tauanuu from his regular right tackle position over to left tackle. Left guard Tobias Raymond would move to right tackle, which is the spot he spent the most time playing during spring when USC thought Purdue transfer DJ Wingfield would be an option at left guard. Backup lineman Micah Banuelos would come off the bench to start at left guard.

USC is already down starting center Kilian O’Connor in this game against Michigan. O’Connor suffered a leg injury in the first half of the Illinois game and will be out at least this week and next week’s game against Notre Dame. Transfer portal addition J’Onre Reed will start against Michigan after coming off the bench two weeks ago to replace O’Connor in the lineup.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz