Arbet’s Injury Forces Return-Team Changes

With Kevin Arbet’s ankle injury more troublesome than originally thought, USC experimented with various kick and punt return combinations at practice Thursday.

Arbet’s problem now appears to involve a nerve rather than a muscle, which rules out various treatments and the use of a pain-killing injection before kickoff. He has been on medication instead.

“It’s just a matter of time,” he said. “I’ll test it on Saturday morning.”

Because the other top returner, Darrell Rideaux, also is hurt, the Trojans had receiver Kareem Kelly and cornerback Kris Richard fielding punts.

On kickoffs, they rotated linebacker Frank Strong, receiver Keary Colbert and walk-on receiver D. Hale.

Hale and Strong are most likely to start.

“I love kickoffs,” Hale said. “I definitely want to get back there and break one.”

Even if Arbet feels he can play in Saturday’s homecoming game against Oregon State, Coach Pete Carroll said he will be used only in emergency situations.

That would also necessitate some juggling in the nickel defense where Arbet, a cornerback, would be replaced by switching safety Antuan Simmons to corner and playing DeShaun Hill at safety.

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The weekly competition along the offensive line has resulted in Lenny Vandermade holding onto his starting spot at center and Norm Katnik starting at guard.

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The Trojans face the lowest-ranked rush defense in the Pacific 10 Conference on Saturday and the coaches said they have prepared a game plan that will make allowances for both the straight-ahead style of starting tailback Sunny Byrd and the speed of reserve Chris Howard.

“We have certain plays we’d like to see Chris in there for,” Carroll said. “We’ll play the game some and see how it goes.”

As for Chad Pierson, the No. 2 tailback last week, Carroll said he “could” play.