USC's Williams has 'significant' hamstring injury

USC starting backmost and starring Heisman Trophy campaigner Caleb Williams has a "significant" hamstring injury, and his presumption for the Trojans' matchup against Tulane successful the Cotton Bowl connected Jan. 2 is yet to beryllium determined, manager Lincoln Riley said Sunday.

"Those things, hamstrings are antithetic for everybody, but the quality of this is beauteous severe," Riley said during the bowl's coaches quality conference. "We'll rehab him hard and anticipation to person him available."

Williams suffered the wounded during the archetypal 4th of the Pac-12 title crippled connected Friday. After breaking disconnected a 59-yard run, Williams "popped" his hamstring, Riley said. The 20-year-old remained successful the crippled but was visibly constricted successful the 47-24 nonaccomplishment to Utah.

"He's a warrior," Riley said. "He fought done it the different nighttime erstwhile a batch of guys wouldn't."

Riley said that if USC were playing wrong the adjacent 2 weeks, Williams -- who finished the regular play with implicit 4,000 passing yards and 37 touchdowns -- would not beryllium available. But the extended interruption could let the sophomore to beryllium steadfast capable to play successful the vessel game.

If Williams can't play, the Trojans volition crook to backup Miller Moss. The freshman appeared successful 3 games this season, completing 12 of 14 walk attempts for 159 yards and 1 touchdown.