Trip a family affair for Griffen

Everson Griffen won’t get much time to spend with his family before USC’s game against Arizona State next week, but he’s still looking forward to being home for the holiday.

The freshman defensive end from Avondale, Ariz., also cannot wait to play against his cousin, Sun Devils running back Keegan Herring.

“I get to talk a little mess to him,” Griffen said Wednesday.

Griffen, 19, arrived at USC as one of the Trojans’ most heralded recruits.

He got off to a rough start -- teammates had to restrain him from coming to blows with junior end Kyle Moore during a training camp practice -- and did not take advantage of his speed through the first half of the season.

But the 6-foot-3, 265-pound Griffen broke out with 3 1/2 sacks against Oregon State.

Now he is setting his sights on Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter. The Sun Devils have given up 43 sacks, second most in the nation.

But Griffen said he would also be looking to meet up with Herring, the son of his father’s sister. Herring has rushed for 775 yards and has scored five touchdowns for the ninth-ranked Sun Devils.

“He’s always talking about how he’s going to hurt us,” Griffen said. “Well, we’re going to the ‘Zona, we’re coming to the desert.”

Griffen could get extended playing time against the Sun Devils if Moore’s right hand does not improve.

Moore injured the radial nerve against Oregon State. He can move his fingers and clutch with them, but he cannot open his hand. He is scheduled to meet with doctors again Monday.

“They said it would come back but there’s no way of telling how long it will take,” said Moore, who was fitted Tuesday with a brace that resembles something out of the “Terminator” movies.

Moore intends to play against Arizona State.

“I’m going to have to wrap this up,” he said, looking at the brace. “It’s plastic so it can break.”

All-American tackle Sam Baker (hamstring) participated in more drills, and offensive line coach Pat Ruel said a decision regarding Baker’s availability against Arizona State would probably be made Sunday.

“It just depends on when they test it,” Ruel said. “If he’s 75% to 80%, we’ll wait. If he’s 95% to 100%, we’re good to go.”

Safety Taylor Mays did not practice because of a sore ankle that he said he hurt against Notre Dame. . . . Freshman Martin Coleman, who is redshirting after having shoulder surgery, has been participating in contact drills and working at right tackle and guard. “The hardest part is getting used to the quick pace,” he said. . . . Freshman running back Marc Tyler, who is redshirting, got extended work with the first-unit offense and had several impressive runs. . . .

With no scout team duties during the off week, receivers Damian Williams and freshman Brandon Carswell worked with the regulars and continued to show they will contend for playing time next season. . . . Coach Pete Carroll said coaches would be out recruiting after practice tonight and also Friday and Saturday. The Trojans return to practice Sunday.

gary.klein@latimes.com