Wright Could Miss Rest of Regular Season

USC defensive tackle Manuel Wright said Monday that he would probably miss the rest of the regular season because of a high left ankle sprain suffered last week against Arizona.

Wright, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, said he would be out three to six weeks. The injury resulted from a block Coach Pete Carroll called “illegal” and “dangerous.”

Wright, starting for the second time, hobbled off the field with assistance from teammates after he was hit in the first quarter on a play that did not result in a penalty.

“I thought it was broken because it popped and I couldn’t get up and walk on it,” said Wright, who wore a knee-high protective boot and walked with a crutch on Monday.

Carroll said, “I’m sure there was no intent,” but he added that USC would ask the Pacific 10 Conference office to review the play to determine if it was a late hit.

LaJuan Ramsey, who played multiple snaps against Arizona, and Sedrick Ellis are among those competing to fill the void left by Wright.

“He made a lot of big plays that only he can make, and we’ll miss him,” Carroll said.

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Safety Scott Ware and flanker Steve Smith returned to practice but will not participate in contact drills until next week.

Ware suffered a foot strain against California. He said he would be ready for the top-ranked Trojans’ next game against Notre Dame on Nov. 27.

Smith, who broke his leg against Cal, hopes to play against Notre Dame and UCLA but said he would hold off if he is not completely healthy.

“I want to be there for the last game of the year,” he said.

Flanker Chris McFoy, who missed the Arizona game because of a knee sprain, said he probably would not practice this week.

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USC announced that it has mailed postseason ticket applications and travel information to USC athletic support group members, season ticket holders and student Spirit Card holders, the only groups eligible to purchase tickets from the school’s allotment.

If USC qualifies for the Orange Bowl, the school would be allotted 16,000 tickets for the Jan. 4 game at Pro Player Stadium in Miami. If the Trojans play in the Rose Bowl, the allotment would be 32,000. There will be no public sale of Orange or Rose bowl tickets by USC.

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Sophomore Reggie Bush was chosen as one of eight semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation’s top running back. Bush has rushed for 604 yards and four touchdowns and has caught six touchdown passes. Teammate LenDale White has rushed for 859 yards and 13 touchdowns.

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Freshman tight end Fred Davis, who had been suspended for the Arizona game because of academic issues, returned to practice.