Fargas Says He’s Ready for Opener

Justin Fargas wore full pads and absorbed hits for the first time in 11 days Wednesday, and the USC tailback said he remains determined to play in Monday’s opener against Auburn.

Fargas, No. 1 on the depth chart at the start of training camp, injured his right hamstring Aug. 17 during a drill before the Trojans’ first scrimmage.

Earlier this week, Coach Pete Carroll said he would not play Fargas against Auburn if the senior transfer was not at full strength.

Fargas ran without noticeable discomfort for about 90 minutes of the two-hour practice.

Team trainers then pulled him before a drill that pitted the first-team offense against the first-team defense.

“I’m just going to go and do as much as I can without re-hurting myself,” Fargas said. “I’m doing more every day.”

Fargas will increase his workload at today’s practice, a workout Carroll said would be key in his decision whether to play him.

“That’s the first chance to really get a good look at him,” Carroll said.

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Freshman Dominique Byrd, moved from tight end to defensive end on Aug. 18 because of a depth shortage, was switched back to tight end with the return of junior college transfers Daniel Urquhart from a neck injury and Van Brown from a hip injury.

Carroll said last week that Byrd was second on the depth chart behind left end Omar Nazel and would probably play against Auburn in passing situations. But Byrd said Carroll called him Tuesday night to ask him if he was amenable to returning to his original position.

Carroll said Byrd will work as the third tight end behind Gregg Guenther and Alex Holmes and will play on special teams.

Urquhart will back up Nazel.

Said Byrd: “I remember the [offensive] plays for the most part.... It’s funny. I have my offense playbook, my defense playbook, the defense-ready-for-Auburn folder and the offense-ready-for-Auburn folder. So I should have Auburn pretty much down.”

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Junior cornerback Marcell Allmond almost made it through his first full-contact practice before he tripped and reopened a wound on his right knee.

Stitches in the knee became infected after the second day of training camp and forced Allmond to be hospitalized for five days. He returned last week and was cleared to practice on Sunday.

Carroll said junior college transfer Ronald Nunn is still in contention to displace freshman Justin Wyatt at left cornerback.

Even if he is a backup, Nunn will get significant playing time because he can play both corner positions and will be in the nickel package.

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Senior offensive lineman Zach Wilson will miss the Auburn game because of a strained left foot but said he hopes to be ready for the Sept. 14 game at Colorado. Wilson, a three-year starter at right guard, suffered the injury on the first day of camp and has been wearing a protective plastic boot since.

“I was out of the boot for an hour and then I got thrown back in,” Wilson said. “It was on a such a rapid [recovery] pace before, I thought it would keep going.”

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Tight end Scott Huber was taken off the field on a cart after injuring his left hip. Huber, who redshirted as a freshman in 1998 after suffering a hip fracture in fall drills, underwent an MRI.... Quarterback Matt Cassel, who chipped a bone in his right kneecap on Aug. 17, took repetitions and hopes to be available Monday.

Senior fullback Chad Pierson dressed but did not participate in drills because of a strained left hamstring. Pierson said he is day-to-day.... Mazio Royster, who rushed for 1,168 yards in 1990, attended practice.