Starting USC Tailback Unlikely To Play In Opener

Monday, August 27th 2007, 10:06 pm

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Southern California coach Pete Carroll all but ruled starting tailback Chauncey Washington and backup quarterback Mark Sanchez out of Saturday night's opener against Idaho.

Washington, a fifth-year senior who led the top-ranked Trojans in rushing last year with 744 yards on 157 carries, has a sprained right shoulder, and Sanchez has a cracked bone in his throwing thumb.

``Chauncey's not ready to go yet. It's not likely he'll be ready to go this week,'' Carroll said after practice Monday. ``We'll take the next week to get him right and look forward to the following game.''

After facing Idaho, the Trojans have a week off before playing at No. 20 Nebraska on Sept. 15.

Carroll said Sanchez probably could play Saturday night if necessary, but it's unlikely the third-year junior will be needed since the Trojans don't figure to have any problems against the outmanned Vandals, who are 45-point underdogs.

Washington and Sanchez were both injured in scrimmages at the Los Angeles Coliseum _ Washington last Wednesday night, and Sanchez on Aug. 12.

Carroll said highly regarded freshman tailback Joe McKnight, sidelined for 10 days because of a stretched knee ligament, returned to practice Monday.

``He's getting close. We'll see how that goes the next couple of days,'' Carroll said.

Sophomores C.J. Gable, Allen Bradford and Stafon Johnson and freshmen McKnight and Broderick Green are all expected to play at tailback against Idaho.

All-American offensive tackle Sam Baker, slowed by a cracked rib, also practiced Monday and will likely play in Saturday night's game at the Coliseum, where a crowd of about 90,000 is expected.