Injuries just keep piling up

With a sloppy close-call victory against Washington behind and a game against struggling Stanford ahead, USC sifted through its injury wreckage Monday, hoping for a clearer picture after players see team doctors today. Some situations, however, did not require a wait.

Freshman center Kris O’Dowd said he would have arthroscopic surgery today for a dislocated kneecap suffered against Washington and would be out three to four weeks.

Sophomore receiver Travon Patterson, who injured his right foot during training camp, will have surgery soon and will seek a medical redshirt, Coach Pete Carroll said.

Timetables for other players are less certain.

Guard Chilo Rachal sprained a knee ligament against Washington on the same play when O’Dowd was injured. Rachal said he was day-to-day, but Carroll said the junior could miss three weeks.

Alatini Malu strained a hamstring against Washington while playing in place of Rachal, but he said he would try to return today. Redshirt freshman Zack Heberer worked with the first-team offense Monday.

Meanwhile, sophomore tailback Stafon Johnson watched practice from a cart with his left foot in a protective boot. Johnson said an MRI exam revealed a deep bruise that he sustained during his last two carries against Washington.

“I’m trying to work my butt off to get rehabbed up and iced up to get back right,” said Johnson, who rushed for 122 yards and scored a touchdown against the Huskies.

Running backs coach Todd McNair said there was not a set plan for replacing Johnson if he could not play against Stanford. Sophomore Allen Bradford, seniors Hershel Dennis and Desmond Reed and freshman Joe McKnight would be in the mix to alternate with senior Chauncey Washington.

Sophomore C.J. Gable’s status will probably be determined after a doctor’s examination today. Gable did not play against Washington because of a lingering groin strain. If Gable requires surgery and does not play again this season, he could seek a medical redshirt.

Asked if surgery was a possibility, Gable said, “No.” Later he said, “I don’t know. Probably not.”

Junior cornerback Cary Harris (shoulder) practiced and said he hoped to be cleared by doctors to play against Stanford. Sophomore Shareece Wright, who replaced Harris in the starting lineup against Washington, has a hamstring strain that could keep him out against the Cardinal.

If neither is available, senior Mozique McCurtis probably will start.

Linebacker Brian Cushing’s return from an ankle injury will not be rushed, Carroll said.

“We can’t allow him to come back too early,” he said.

Carroll said he spoke to players about reducing penalties, but that he did not dissuade them from remaining aggressive on defense.

“I love the way we’re playing. We’re flying around, we’re hitting, we’re making all kinds of things happen,” he said. “We’ve played very consistently and I don’t want to change but yet we have to win the games by playing along with the way the game’s being called.

“So it’s just decision making. At the point of the last second we have to make good choices.”

Wright made no apologies for the sideline hit he put on Washington quarterback Jake Locker in the first quarter, which drew a personal foul penalty.

“We watched film of him and he never ran out of bounds, he always tried to get the extra yards,” Wright said. “I was thinking, ‘Now he’s going to feel us.’ . . . [Afterward] he was sliding, ducking, he wasn’t trying to be a running back anymore. That’s exactly what we needed.”

USC’s game against Arizona on Oct. 13 will kick off at 12:30 p.m. and will be shown regionally on Channel 7. . . . Defensive end Kyle Moore was absent from practice because of illness, Carroll said.

gary.klein@latimes.com