Southern Miss all-conference wide receiver Tim Jones returned on Saturday after missing the past six weeks because of a hamstring injury and COVID-19 protocols.
Jones had three receptions for 33 yards in a 30-6 home loss to Rice.
"From a conditioning standpoint, we wanted to try to ease him back into it," Southern Miss offensive coordinator Matt Kubik said.
But that didn't come without yet another hiccup at quarterback. Starter Jack Abraham, who missed the previous game with Liberty after testing positive for COVID-19, walked off the field gingerly after an injury in the second quarter.