Injuries Sideline MacKenzie and Graf

USC suffered its first serious casualties of training camp Wednesday when medical tests revealed that tailback Malaefou MacKenzie could miss the season opener and reserve center Derek Graf could be lost for the season. Both were injured in practice Tuesday.

MacKenzie, a part-time starter last season who was the team’s second-leading rusher with 284 yards, twisted his knee and is expected to miss two to three weeks. Even a return in two weeks would give the senior only a few days to prepare for San Jose State Sept. 1 at the Coliseum.

“We’re hoping he can make it back in a reasonably quick time,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said. “We need to wait and see how he responds the next couple of days.”

Graf, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound junior, is expected to be out at least a month after suffering a sprained right knee when another lineman landed on him.

“I closed my eyes and didn’t want to open them,” said Graf, his voice fraught with disappointment. “I didn’t want to see what happened.”

Graf will undergo additional tests today to determine the exact nature of his injury and whether it will require surgery. His departure could have big implications for sophomore Norm Katnik, who is competing for a starting position at tackle. Katnik will also serve as center Lenny Vandermade’s backup if Graf is unable to return.

Carroll said redshirt freshman tailback Chris Howard will have a chance to back up starter Sultan McCullough in MacKenzie’s absence. “[Howard] shows good quickness and has real good shake-and-bake to him,” Carroll said. “We’re going to really take this opportunity to bring him on and see how far he can take it.”

*

Junior tailback Justin Fargas may have to sit out this season after transferring from Michigan, but that hasn’t stopped him from making an impression in practice.

“He makes his presence well known,” Carroll said following afternoon practice. “He has been a surprise, and it’s because of his intensity and his competitiveness. He certainly will get our defense ready to go.”

Fargas, a former standout at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High, acknowledged that it’s going to be tough walking the sidelines Saturdays while practicing with the team the rest of the week.

“I’m just glad to be a part of the team and be able to contribute anywhere I can,” he said.

Junior tight end Doyle Butler’s shoulder injury, suffered Tuesday, is not expected to be serious and should allow him to return to practice within a few days, Carroll said.... Freshman wide receiver Frank Candela continues to suffer from a nagging hamstring injury. No date has been set for his return.