Dillon Baxter’s suspension creates chances for other tailbacks

One player’s suspension is another’s opportunity.

Coach Lane Kiffin said Wednesday that Dillon Baxter would not play in the Sept. 2 season opener at Hawaii for violating team rules, opening the door for other tailbacks, perhaps most notably Marc Tyler.

Tyler, a 5-foot-11 junior, has been plagued by injuries that occurred before and during his USC career. But he has run well in recent workouts, particularly in short-yardage situations.

Kiffin on Wednesday characterized Tyler as perhaps the surprise of training camp.

“Not from the standpoint we didn’t have high hopes for him, but from his production level prior to this camp,” Kiffin said.

Tyler starred at Westlake Village Oaks Christian High but suffered a broken leg near the end of his senior season. He redshirted in 2007 and struggled through various physical setbacks the last two seasons, including a toe injury in 2009 that required surgery.

Tyler, who has rushed for 270 yards in two seasons, reported to training camp at 220 pounds, 10 fewer than spring practice.

“I feel good, probably the best I’ve felt since I’ve been here,” Tyler said.

Kiffin has noticed.

“As a big back the perception usually is he can’t come out of the backfield and catch the ball,” Kiffin said. “He does that really smooth and has good hands, so we’re very pleased with him.”

Sophomore Curtis McNeal also has enjoyed highlights, including an impressive touchdown run in the Trojans’ first scrimmage.

Tyler and McNeal are competing for playing time with seniors Allen Bradford and C.J. Gable.

Gable said Baxter can overcome the setback.

“He has to keep working hard, keep his head right and don’t show that he’s hurt from it,” Gable said. “He can’t let it show because it’s going to eat him up.”

Senior fullback Stanley Havili, suspended last week for a day after injuring cornerback T.J. Bryant in a pre-camp altercation, said he spoke to Baxter on Tuesday.

“I let him know that he’s a leader and guys are following him and he has to understand that,” Havili said. “You have to gain respect back from the team and from the coaches. Dillon has to do everything he can to gain that respect back.”

Impact player

Defensive lineman Armond Armstead suffered from dehydration the first day of training camp and stomach problems the second. The maladies forced the junior to sit out the first scrimmage because he had not practiced enough days to don full pads.

But since returning Monday, Armstead has been a force.

“I thought the offense was ahead of the defense, but I realized it was because Armond wasn’t practicing,” Kiffin said. “So as soon as he started practicing, then the defense was ahead of the offense. Hopefully, he continues to grow under our scheme and continues to develop his technique, because right now he just takes over practice.”

Quick hits

Defensive end Nick Perry sat out after suffering right knee and ankle injuries. He emerged from the locker room with a protective boot on his foot. … Safety Drew McAllister, who had surgery on his left hip after last season, had an MRI exam on his right hip.

gary.klein@latimes.com