List of Walking Wounded Is Growing

Tailback Justin Fargas pulled a hamstring before the first snap.

Reserve quarterback Matt Cassel injured his right knee on the eighth play.

So it was considered a victory of sorts when the Trojans completed their first scrimmage Saturday without other injury-related setbacks.

“We wanted to make sure we went and played real physical,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said. “We saw some playmakers today.”

Quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, wide receiver Keary Colbert and kicker David Davis provided some of the highlights during the 63-play scrimmage.

Fargas, a transfer from Michigan who was listed No. 1 on the depth chart at the start of training camp, did not make it out of warmups as a crowd that included about 120 former USC players looked on. The senior injured his right hamstring performing a drill and spent the rest of the morning on the trainers’ table.

“My leg has been a little sore the last couple days,” Fargas said. “When it tightened up on me, I just knew I couldn’t push anything.”

Cassel, a sophomore who was battling Leinart to become Palmer’s back-up, was knocked to the ground on the last play of the second series while throwing an incomplete pass. Cassel was taken to the hospital afterward for an MRI exam.

“They don’t think it’s any major ligament so that’s a good sign,” Cassel said.

Palmer completed five of nine passes for 88 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown pass to Colbert, who had three receptions for 73 yards. Palmer had one pass intercepted.

Leinart, a freshman, completed five of nine passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a touchdown.

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Fargas’ injury, coupled with senior Sultan McCullough’s inactivity because of hamstring soreness, presented more rushing opportunities for senior Malaefou MacKenzie, sophomore Darryl Poston and freshman Hershel Dennis.

Poston gained 18 yards in seven carries and scored on a three-yard run. MacKenzie rushed for 10 yards in six carries and Dennis gained nine yards in six carries.

Freshman fullback Brandon Hancock gained 19 yards in three carries. The Trojans rushed for 62 yards in 30 carries.

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Davis kicked field goals of 44, 41 and 30 yards before missing a 45-yard attempt.

“The snaps and the holds were great and the front line is doing awesome,” Davis said.

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Sophomore Jason Leach, starting in place of injured All-American safety Troy Palomalu, intercepted a pass thrown by Palmer when cornerback Darrell Rideaux deflected a ball intended for receiver Kareem Kelly.

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Palomalu said he would not practice today as he continues to recover from a mild concussion. He could also sit out Monday’s scrimmage at the Coliseum.... Junior cornerback Marcell Allmond remained hospitalized for an infection in his right knee.... Former All-Americans Pat Howell, Anthony Davis and Sam Cunningham were among former players who attended Saturday’s scrimmage and luncheon.