After Long Road of Injuries and Recovery, Michael Jackson is Back on the Field for the USC Trojans

Wide receiver Michael Jackson III made a quick impression on USC fans when he turned in a standout performance during the 2021 spring game as a true freshman. He finished that first season with 12 receptions for 116 yards, leading the Trojans in receptions and receiving yards in the season finale against Cal. But he’d been almost completely out of action for the entire 2022 season due to injuries. Last week against Utah, Jackson recorded his first catch of the season, completing a long, difficult fight back from being sidelined.

“It’s been a long road for sure,” Jackson said. “Pretty much since January, I was dealing with injuries for about eight months.”

Jackson estimated that he had six hamstring pulls during the time. It was a constant frustration of getting hurt and getting back onto the field, only to get hurt again. He credited the USC trainers for the amount of work they’ve put in with him and said getting back on the field and involved again was a step in the right direction.

Against Utah, Jackson had one of the plays of the game when he caught a quick pass and turned it into a 20-yard score. It gave the Trojans a 42-35 lead with just six minutes to play. It was a different injury that likely led to the opportunity. Wide receiver Jordan Addison went down with an apparent leg injury earlier in the game. If not for that, it might have been Addison on the receiving end of that quick pass from Caleb Williams. Of course, Jackson wasn’t thinking about that as the play call came in from head coach Lincoln Riley.

“Once you’re on the field, you just have to execute,” Jackson said. “No matter how many minutes you’ve played up until that point.”

Previously, Jackson was on the field for the final offensive snap against Fresno State. And he served as the returner on three punts in the Washington State game.

Jackson Stayed the Course

USC didn’t go deep into the depth chart for wide receiver reps early in the season. Receptions have been dominated by Addison and Mario Williams. Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice also carved out important roles for themselves. But Jackson could be someone who sees more time going forward. That might be in part to Addison being out. There’s no word as to the severity of his injury or a potential return. Riley deemed him day-to-day this week in terms of status. But Jackson, now fully healthy, is likely to play himself into more reps.

Riley said he appreciates the mentality Jackson brought while doing everything he could to deal with the injuries.

“I know his frustration level was at about a boiling point,” Riley said. “But, another great example of if you hang in there, good things can happen.”

The USC coaches have seen very little of Jackson fully healthy. But Riley said they’re now understanding what he brings.

“It’s been good to see him kind of battle back, and then when he gets on the field…because we haven’t seen a lot of him on the field, he’s an impressive player,” Riley said. “He runs well with the ball. He’s just an aggressive, tough, physical, competitive player.”

Outside wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons said this week on the Trojans Live radio show that they knew Jackson had the potential to “do some really good things.” The play against Utah coupled with the bye week came at a good time for him.

“He’s had some time this week to really step in and show some of the things that he could do,” Simmons said. “It was nice.”

Jackson said he knows he’s made an impression when healthy.

“When I was on the field, I think they liked what they saw,” he said of the coaches. “Going out to practice every day, competing, working my butt off, proving that I’m healthy, proving that I’m ready go to. They trusted me enough to put me in and make a play.”