USC wide receiver Marqise Lee's return to action was a brief one, as the electric junior missed most of the second half of the Trojans' 14-10 loss at intersectional rival Notre Dame.
Lee caught two passes for 18 yards in the first half, showing his trademark athleticism to shake a Fighting Irish defender and pick up a first down when the offense was backed up deep near its own goal line. Lee also bobbled and dropped a touchdown in his return from the left knee injury he suffered at Arizona State after missing last week's win over Arizona.
Lee said after the game that he wanted to return to action and did not appear to be limping as he left Notre Dame Stadium, the Orange County Register reported.
Lee's absence certainly limited USC's margin for error as it tried to stage a comback against an offensively inept ND that was without starting quarterback Tommy Rees for the second half. With the Trojans already lacking in scholarship pass catchers, any extended absence for Lee would dramatically impair USC's ability to compete in an improved Pac-12.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
