Lake McRee injury update: Lincoln Riley shares how close USC TE is to return

USC tight end Lake McRee suffered a lower leg injury against Michigan in September and has been sidelined ever since.

Ahead of Week 8, Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley shared a positive update on the injury for McRee, who expects the redshirt junior to return to the field fairly soon.

“We’ve missed him. There’s no, there’s no way to replace all the experience and playmaking ability,” Riley said on Thursday. “He does so many things in this offense. And I give Kade Eldridge and Walker Lyons credit, they’ve come in against some big ball games, and have played a lot of snaps. For two pretty inexperienced dudes, they’ve handled it well, but we [miss McRee’s] experience and play making abilities.

“He’s close. I don’t know 100% that it will be this week. I think it’ll either be this week or next week based on if he continues to progress and doesn’t have any setbacks. Which is honestly a little bit ahead of where we hoped it would be after the after he got hurt up at Michigan. So after that type of hit, you’re thankful to get him back anytime this year. With him, he’s such a grinder that I don’t think anybody’s surprised. It would be a bonus if he had him back this week but if we don’t,I feel confident that we would have [back] the following.”

The injury occured in the third quarter against the Wolverines. He was targeted on a pass in the flats where his legs were cut out from under him by a Michigan defender. McRee then tried to run off the field, but ended up staying down on the turf after a brief attempt. He was tended to in the USC injury tent, then was spotted on the sidelines quite emotional. He hasn’t been back on the field since.

On the season so far, McRee has accounted for 12 catches for 134 yards. He was one of USC’s leading receivers at the time of his injury, and will look to make an immediate impact upon his return.