LOS ANGELES -- Starting tailback Chauncey Washington has a sprained right shoulder, putting his availability for Southern California's season-opener in question.
Washington, a fifth-year senior who led the Trojans in rushing last year with 744 yards on 157 carries, was injured when he hit the ground after a carry early in the second half of a scrimmage Wednesday might at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
"I should be fine," Washington said after practice Thursday, his arm in a sling. "My plan is to rehab -- I don't want to it to be nagging the whole season. I think I'll be out until Monday."
The top-ranked Trojans open the season Sept. 1 against Idaho.
"I have my mind-set that I'm going to play [in the opener] -- I'm looking forward to it," said Washington, who started the scrimmage with a 63-yard run. "I've just got to take it day-by-day. I've never had any shoulder problems before."
Neither sophomore C.J. Gable (lingering groin soreness) nor highly regarded freshman Joe McKnight (stretched knee ligament) played in the scrimmage, but Trojans coach Pete Carroll said he expects them to be ready to go against Idaho.
"C.J. is going to be fine. C.J. could have scrimmaged last night," Carroll said. "We're counting on C.J. for sure -- we know what he can do."
Regarding McKnight, who hasn't practiced since last week, Carroll said: "He ran real well last night. That's a real good sign for us. He's got to be ready by Monday [to play against Idaho]."
Sophomores Stafon Johnson and Allen Bradford also figure to see action at tailback against Idaho.
"All of these guys deserve to play," Carroll said.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Source: ESPN.com
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