Arbet’s Season Comes to End

Kevin Arbet, a first-team All-Pacific 10 Conference special teams player who was scheduled to start at cornerback, will miss the season because of a fractured bone in his right foot, USC learned Tuesday.

Arbet was slated to play left cornerback and return and cover punts and kickoffs.

“That is a big loss for us,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said. “He was the best player in the conference on special teams.”

Arbet wore a boot-type support that wrapped his right leg from foot to knee. He said he was bothered by pain in spring practice and throughout fall training camp but could not identify the source because, “it was moving around.”

Arbet underwent a bone scan Monday and did not participate in the Trojans’ scrimmage at the Coliseum.

Arbet said he will redshirt but did not know if surgery would be required.

“It’s hit me, but it hasn’t hit me like it will when we play our first game,” he said.

Freshman Justin Wyatt worked with the first-unit defense and will get a look at returning punts. However, junior college transfer Ronald Nunn is expected to take Arbet’s position in the secondary when he returns from a hamstring injury, which could be in the next day or two.

Senior Darrell Rideaux is the starting right cornerback, but Carroll said the mix could change as the Trojans move toward their Sept. 2 opener against Auburn at the Coliseum.

Junior cornerback Marcell Allmond, hospitalized for five days because of a staph infection, was at practice, but he is not expected to participate in drills until later this week. Carroll said that redshirt freshman John Walker also will begin taking repetitions at cornerback after working at safety during camp.

“We really need Marcell to get back out there,” Carroll said. “I still think we have good players. We just don’t have any experience.”

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Receiver D. Hale was fitted with a protective boot on his left foot and is scheduled to meet with a specialist to review an MRI exam. Hale, Arbet and injured guard Zach Wilson are wearing boots. “It’s like a fashion trend,” Hale said. “If you don’t have a boot you have a hamstring. Boots and hamstrings are the story of USC football.” ... Freshman tackle Winston Justice sat out afternoon practice because of a sore neck.... Junior linebacker Chris Prosser was moved from linebacker to defensive line.... Safety Troy Polamalu, who suffered a mild concussion Thursday, returned to contact drills and made a diving interception in the end zone on a short pass play.... Linebacker Lofa Tatupu, son of former USC fullback Mosi Tatupu, worked out for the first time since transferring from Maine where he played last season as a freshman. Tatupu will redshirt this season.... Redshirt quarterback Brandon Hance, a transfer from Purdue who played at Woodland Hills Taft High, chatted up Taft seniors Steve Smith and Noah Smith during the morning practice. Steve Smith is a wide receiver and cornerback and is regarded as one of the top recruits in the nation. Noah Smith is a receiver and also a top sprinter.