USC is expecting to have to key playmakers back on the field Saturday when it battles UCLA.

Trojan head coach Lincoln Riley told reporters on Thursday he expects both linebacker Eric Gentry (ankle) and wideout Mario Williams (undisclosed) to play against the 16th-ranked Bruins. Both have missed USC’s last three games.

It’s good news on both sides of the ball for the seventh-ranked Trojans. Gentry is a matchup advantage in the middle of USC’s defense, a 6-foot-6 middle linebacker with the kind of skillset that lets him be serviceable as a run-stopper and helpful in coverage. At the time of his injury, he led the Trojans in tackles.

Williams has 26 catches for 493 yards and four scores this season. His return could be an important one for the USC offense given the loss of tailback Travis Dye. The receiving corps is healthy — with Addison and Williams back — and deep. When both were off the field, USC got 100-yard receiving performances from Tahj Washington, Kyle Ford, and Michael Jackson III.

Riley will have an abundance of playmakers to flip the ball out to against the Bruins to try and make up for what they’ll miss with Dye. He said Thursday he’s been particularly impressed by the work of Brenden Rice and Ford to this point.

Kickoff between the Trojans and Bruins is set for 5 p.m. PT on FOX this Saturday. With a win, USC will secure its spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game.