USC football news: Is Tanook Hines playing vs. San Jose State?

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With the USC football program preparing for the 2026 season, the first game comes on Saturday afternoon against San Jose State in a Week 0 contest to get the year started. However, there has been concern surrounding USC football quarterback Jayden Maiava’s top target for the Week 0 contest and whether he was going to play, as the latest update confirms his status.

All eyes are on Trojans wide receiver Tanook Hines, who is slated to be the top pass-catcher on the roster, though it looks like he won’t play in the Week 0 game on Saturday against San Jose State. According to Ryan Kartje of The Los Angeles Times, Hines is “not dressed” for the outing, which he considers to be “no surprise.”

“USC’s presumptive No. 1 receiver Tanook Hines is not dressed today, due to injury,” Kartje wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “No surprise. But expect a lot of freshmen receiver action today.”

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Hines is likely to be the top target in the offense for the USC football team after leading receivers from the 2025 season, Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, are currently in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens, respectively.

USC football’s Lincoln Riley on Tanook Hines’ injury progress

In 2025, Hines recorded 561 yards on 34 catches with two touchdowns, averaging 16.5 yards per reception, but an offseason surgery in the spring, which is undisclosed, put a dent in offseason training.

For a majority of the fall camp sessions, Hines was a non-participant, though following practice on Thursday, head coach Lincoln Riley said the sophomore had an “increase in activity the past 10 to 14 days,” via Sports Illustrated.

“He’s definitely progressed enough to kind of look like himself, which has been great,” Riley said about Hines. “He’s close, there’s no question. I mean, if he plays this game, that’s great, and if he doesn’t, he’s certainly not far away.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen when Hines is back on the field for the Trojans, as the next opportunity comes on Friday, Sept. 4, against the Fresno State Bulldogs.

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USC football news: Is Tanook Hines playing vs. San Jose State?

USC football’s Lincoln Riley on Tanook Hines’ injury progress

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