A Day Off Is What Doctor Ordered

It’s a good thing USC players had a day off Monday, because several were at the doctor’s office.

Defensive end Bobby DeMars received the MRI results on his sprained neck. They were negative, but he probably won’t be ready to play at Washington on Saturday.

Defensive tackle Ryan Nielsen, whose right arm was in a sling, awaits the results of his MRI. Doctors suspect “it’s a little separation,” he said. “I popped it out and it’s a little sore. I think it will be OK.”

That means the Trojan defense faces the likelihood of starting freshman Shaun Cody and redshirt freshman Kenechi Udeze up front.

“And the backups behind those guys have to be ready,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “So it falls on us to really start reaching into the depth chart and hope guys can come through.”

Reserve middle linebacker Lee Webb, who broke his foot, is scheduled for surgery today.

USC has set the starting times for its remaining home games. The Arizona State game on Oct. 13 and the UCLA game on Nov. 17 will kick off at 3:30 p.m. The Oregon State game on Nov. 3 will begin at 12:30 p.m.