Add The California Post on Google USC has lost another likely starter to injury with the season quickly approaching.
Defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart, who was a freshman All-American last season, recently went down with a foot injury after the Trojans lost center Kilian O’Connor for the season earlier in training camp.
Stewart’s setback is not expected to be nearly as significant, with coach Lincoln Riley saying Tuesday that the sophomore would miss the season opener against San Jose State on Saturday at the Coliseum but could return as soon as the next game against Fresno State on Sept. 4.
USC Trojans defensive end Jahkeem Stewart looks on during a college football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the USC Trojans on Nov. 7, 2025, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images There could be incentive to let Stewart have an extended rest with the Trojans opening the season as heavy favorites against their first three opponents. USC will conclude the nonconference portion of its schedule against Louisiana on Sept. 12 before facing Rutgers in its Big Ten Conference opener the following week.
“What he’s dealing with right now is minor,” Riley said of Stewart. “The plan is to probably hold him [out], and I think he’ll be able from that point forward. But it’s certainly not long term. A little precautionary right now.”
Stewart knows what it’s like to gut through an injury, having played with a stress fracture in his foot last season after missing the opening game. He eventually underwent surgery for the injury in December and missed the Trojans’ bowl game.
Riley said the Trojans would monitor Stewart’s new injury closely and adjust according to how his 6-foot-5, 295-pound body responded to treatment.
“Everybody is different in terms of their size, their biomechanics in terms of how they run,” Riley said, “and especially guys like Jahkeem who are pretty violent in the way they move and transfer energy on the ground — like there’s some force going into the ground.
Alex VanSumeren of the Michigan State Spartans speaks to the media during a post-game press conference after a college football game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan, on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. The Spartans won the game 23-6. (Getty Images) Getty Images “So, yeah, I think some of these injuries are freak things that happen from time to time in this game, that’s part of it. And then there are things that as guys go, and as their bodies evolve and get bigger and stronger, you have to make adjustments on and they have to make adjustments on.”
For perhaps the first time in his five seasons, Riley might have the depth to withstand a significant injury on the interior of his defensive line. Veterans Jide Abasiri and Alex VanSumeren will likely be pushed into even larger roles, and now others such as Jamaal Jarrett will have the opportunity for a breakthrough.
“We’ve had some young guys emerge in that room, especially who are going to command some looks and some opportunities to play and go prove themselves on Saturdays here right away,” Riley said, “and then you combine it with the experience we have in that room. We’ll have a good healthy rotation and be able to withstand any dings along the way.”
