Palmer’s Done for the Season

It’s all but official: Carson Palmer is expected to redshirt and not attempt to play against UCLA or Louisiana Tech.

“I’m just not making it final-final until the doctor says he’s out. That probably comes tomorrow,” USC Coach Paul Hackett said Sunday.

“The result of him lobbing the ball 10 yards is about what we thought, which is it’s hard to do. It’s going to take more time.”

Palmer broke his collarbone seven weeks ago against Oregon and had been set on returning against UCLA on Saturday. But he began to realize when he began tossing a ball about 10 yards the last few days it probably won’t happen.

“I wasn’t as concerned about saving the year as I was his health,” Hackett said. “If he was a fifth-year senior, with the future he has, you wouldn’t [push it.]”

John Fox, the starter in USC’s 31-24 loss to UCLA in 1997, will start for a third consecutive game.

“Plus, John Fox has got a win,” Hackett said. “Yes!”