Notre Dame vs. USC injury report Week 14: Updates on Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Howard Cross and more 

The No. 5-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face Lincoln Riley's USC Trojans in Week 14. The two teams are on separate paths with Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman's team one of the favorites to get a first round bye in the College Football Playoff while the Trojans aim to salvage what has been a disappointing season.

Let's look at the teams' injury reports ahead of the pivotal clash on Saturday.

Notre Dame injury report

The Fighting Irish have an extensive defensive injury list.

Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa

Freshman linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is listed as out after he left the Fighting Irish's 49-14 Week 13 win against the Army Black Knights.

Viliamu-Asa has been a key member of Notre Dame this season and has registered 29 total tackles, including 2.5 for loss, one sack, one interception, one pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.

Howard Cross III

Defensive tackle Howard Cross III has missed the last three games as he suffered a left ankle sprain against the Florida State Seminoles on Nov. 9. After the game against Army, Freeman admitted that he was optimistic about Cross' chances of playing.

“Howard was close,” Freeman said. “He practiced some. We just didn’t feel like he could give it a go.”

Bodie Kahoun

Freshman linebacker Bodie Kahoun suffered a right leg injury against Army and has been ruled against the USC Trojans.

Jason Onye

Senior defensive lineman Jason Onye has missed six games due to an undisclosed matter and during his weekly news conference, Marcus Freeman gave an update on him.

“He’s just taking some personal time right now to get some things that he needs,” Freeman said. “So, if there’s a chance for him to return, we would love to have him back. But right now, we just got to support Jason getting the help he needs for Jason.”

USC injury report

The USC Trojans have a shorter injury list than the Fighting Irish.

Braylan Shelby

Sophomore defensive lineman Braylan Shelby missed the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Nov. 16 and has been listed as questionable for Week 14.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are one-touchdown favorites against the USC Trojans but their extensive injury list makes this rivalry clash a more absorbing game than initially expected.