Lane returns to practice, but his status and Paige’s unclear

Wideout, left tackle may not be available Saturday. Richardson could step in again.

- By Ryan KarRTJE

CARLIN STIEHL Los Angeles Times

JA'KOBI LANE celebrates a touchdown against Georgia Southern on Sept. 6.

As USC enters a critical stretch of its conference slate, it’s unclear if it'll have its star wideout or starting left tackle ready to play.

Junior wideout Ja’Kobi Lane returned to practice on Tuesday after sitting out last Saturday’s win over Michigan State with an upper body injury he suffered the week before. But junior offensive tackle Elijah Paige was not seen entering or leaving USC's practice field.

USC coach Lincoln Riley declined to provide an update on Lane or Paige on Tuesday and instead referred reporters to the Big Ten’s availability report, which is released two hours before kickoff every Saturday.