USC playing walk-on running back Bryan Jackson in Saturday’s 31-13 win over Michigan came with a cost.

The Big Ten slapped the Trojans with a $5,000 fine Monday for violating conference rules regarding its availability reports, per multiple reports. MLive has reached out to the conference for comment.

Jackson was listed as “out” on the team’s pregame availability report, but USC’s top two running backs, Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders, exited the game in the first half with injuries.

Jackson had not played since Week 1 because of a turf toe injury, but with the two early injuries depleting the Trojans’ backfield, having Jackson suit up in the second half came down to a “wellness issue, ” head coach Lincoln Riley said after the game.

“Although these circumstances were unfortunate, it i

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