Tanook Hines Injury Update: Will Hines Play for USC in Week 0?

The USC Trojans are closing in on their season-opening game against visiting San Jose State, but the availability of WR Tanook Hines remains in question. The star receiver is dealing with an undisclosed injury, further clouding the picture for head coach Lincoln Riley’s crew. 

Following an offseason procedure, is Hines tracking to be given the green light for game action? That’s the burning question many in the college football world are wondering.

Ahead of kickoff at 3 p.m. ET in Los Angeles, what’s the latest on Hines’ status? Below, we’ll dive into the latest Tanook Hines injury update and outline its potential impact on USC picks and player projections for PrizePicks. 

Make college football predictions for the 2026 season on PrizePicks!

{{cfb_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Tanook Hines Injury Update: Will USC WR Play vs. San Jose State in Week 0?

Speaking to the media before Saturday’s game against the Spartans, Riley admitted Hines is nearing a return but didn’t put a deadline on him getting back on the field for real games. 

According to the HC, his electric pass catcher is looking more and more like the force most expect him to be in 2026. 

"He's definitely progressed enough to kind of look like himself, which has been great," Riley said. "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."

Despite playing behind elite targets like Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon in 2025, Hines still managed to get the ball thrown his way plenty. Across 13 games, the then-true freshman hauled in 34 passes for 561 yards and 2 TDs. He also returned 4 kickoffs for 52 yards, setting the scene for a monumental offseason.

Now, Hines is back but listed alongside Corey Simms with an “OR” designation for a potential starting spot on the Trojans’ first depth chart. That likely stems from his questionable health entering Week 0. 

If Hines is cleared for takeoff, it’d be a boost for a USC team that may not even need it against SJSU. According to Game on Paper, the Texas native ranked fourth among all receivers in EPA/target (1.10) in 2025. 

Tanook Hines Stats, Player Projections vs. San Jose State

There are several Tanook Hines projections available on the PrizePicks CFB board heading into Saturday’s game: 

• 31.5 Longest Reception
• 59.5 Receiving Yards (Goblin)
• 1.5 Player Touchdowns (Demon)
• 3.5 Receptions (Goblin)

{{cfb_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Which USC Players to Target If Tanook Hines Misses Week 0?

Ideally, if you’re USC, Hines is back in the fold sooner rather than later. Given the transfer portal additions of QB Jayden Maiava, RB Waymond Jordan, and WR Terrell Anderson (out for Week 0), the Trojans want to hit the ground running as quickly as possible. 

In the event of Hines sitting out the opener against San Jose State, who makes sense to potentially target on PrizePicks? Fortunately for the home team, there are some viable options at Maiava’s disposal either way. 

Chicago native and true freshman Trent Mosley is a popular name in USC circles, and for good reason. The four-star recruit was the Cal-Hi Sports State Player of the Year and is widely expected to compete for reps right out of the gate as more of a slot piece.

Elsewhere in the WR room, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is another first-year player who possesses the prototypical frame to be an X-style wideout. The California product flirted with top-100 recruiting status and should be a big-bodied target for Maiava in the red zone early on.

Finally, a third freshman completes the trio of weapons to watch this weekend. TE Mark Bowman, who reclassified to join the Trojans, earned five-star status from the Colorado area and was recently dubbed the first-string player at his position. 

Each of these pieces may find success against a Spartans pass defense that got gashed for 8.7 yards per play and 246.5 yards per game in 2025, ranking among the nation’s worst teams. 

Here are the USC players who may benefit most on PrizePicks if Hines is out, as well as their stat projections for today:

• WR Trent Mosley vs. San Jose State: 46.5 Rec Yards / 2.5 Receptions (Goblin)
• WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt vs. San Jose State: 31.5 Rec Yards / 1.5 Receptions (Goblin) / 0.5 Rec TDs (Demon)
• TE Mark Bowman vs. San Jose State: 41.5 Rec Yards / 18.5 Longest Rec / 1.5 Player TDs (Demon)

Lock in your college football predictions on PrizePicks — featuring season-long player stats, awards, CFP qualifiers, and more!

Make 2026 College Football Predictions and Picks on PrizePicks

As the USC Trojans aim to start their season on a high note, the status of WR Tanook Hines is still up in the air. Regardless of whether the talented wideout suits up for Saturday’s Week 0 bout against San Jose State, PrizePicks still has plenty of college football projections available.

Don’t wait until kickoff — make your 2026 CFB picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.

Simply pick CFB players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on game winners, spreads, over/unders, and award futures, now available in 36 states.

Stay locked in on Playbook for daily college football predictions, picks, and news every day all the way through the College Football Playoff.