Strong, Prosser Are Welcomed Back to Practice

USC Coach Pete Carroll was pleased to see safety Frank Strong and linebacker Chris Prosser rejoin practice Wednesday.

Strong had been out since injuring his knee in the opener against San Jose State; Prosser was serving an NCAA-mandated two-game suspension.

“It was good to get them back out here working,” Carroll said.

Strong, who led the Trojans with seven tackles in their 21-10 victory over San Jose State, wore a knee brace as he went through drills.

“It’s slowing me down,” said Strong, who will play against Oregon on Sept. 22. “In a couple of weeks I’ll be back to normal, hopefully.”

Prosser, who is third string, is focused on trying to get playing time.

“I’m working pretty hard to get back in the mix of things and get a little higher on the depth chart,” said Prosser, heavily winded. “I felt a little rusty out here, but I’m trying to get back in the swing of things.”

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Carroll announced after practice that tailback Malaefou MacKenzie’s father, Vernon, has died. MacKenzie was not at practice.

“It’s a significant loss,” Carroll said. “It’s really hit him hard, and this is a time we need to support him and help him as much as we can.”

MacKenzie, who suffered a knee injury before the season, has not played and it is unknown when he will be able to return.

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Offensive tackle Joe McGuire and defensive tackle Ryan Nielsen were dismissed from practice after a brief skirmish but returned for Carroll’s post-practice address.

“This is really the day that you kind of let out the frustrations,” Carroll told reporters. “It’s the first day back [after the national tragedy], and we needed to vent a little bit.” ... Linebacker Matt Grootegoed, fullback Charlie Landrigan and center Lenny Vandermade all practiced with slight shoulder injuries.... The Trojans will visit children at County-USC Women’s and Children’s hospital from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.