Homecoming for Simmons

Antuan Simmons is going home, in more ways than one, on Saturday. The Sacramento native will play before family and friends when USC faces California at Berkeley. He will also start at cornerback, returning to a position he played earlier in his career.

The move was forced by a lingering knee injury to Chris Cash, who will travel north but is not expected to play. Reserve DeShaun Hill will play safety so Simmons can slide over. “It’s a little bit more pressure but it’s nothing I’m not used to,” Simmons said.

Coach Pete Carroll said he is confident with the senior at cornerback.

“He practiced like crazy this week,” Carroll said. “He may be the best one of all of them.”

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The surgery that tailback Sultan McCullough is scheduled to have Nov. 19 on injured abdominal muscles will not be as extensive as was originally thought. If the procedure goes as expected, the tailback could recover quickly enough not only for spring practice but also for track season.

Carroll remained sketchy on his plans for tailback this weekend, not sounding convincing when he said the injured Sunny Byrd will start. He added that linebacker Frank Strong will definitely play some on offense.

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Tackle Jacob Rogers, who practiced with a brace on his hyperextended elbow Thursday, is expected to start, Carroll said.... Cornerback Kevin Arbet has recovered quickly from an ankle injury and could play some special teams as well as defense. Kareem Kelly is expected to return punts.