Dennis Is Back From Suspension

USC running back Hershel Dennis, who had been suspended for nearly a month for violating team rules, was reinstated by Coach Pete Carroll on Monday and practiced with the top-ranked Trojans in preparation for Saturday’s game at Brigham Young.

“It’s good to get my legs back and come out here and be with the guys,” said Dennis, a junior who started every game last season.

Dennis had not practiced since Aug. 17, the day the Los Angeles Police Department announced it was investigating an alleged sexual assault that occurred on Aug. 16 at a housing complex near campus where the Trojans stayed during training camp.

Law enforcement sources said Dennis was the focus of the investigation, though it is not clear what role he played in the alleged incident.

Last week, law enforcement sources told The Times that the investigation was ongoing but that prosecutors were not expected to file criminal charges in the case, citing a lack of evidence.

Carroll said throughout the last two weeks that he had a timeframe in mind for reinstating Dennis, who gained 661 yards last season, but would not specify the date.

“This seemed like the right time,” Carroll said Monday.

Carroll emphasized the suspension was team-rules violations and did not result because of the police investigation.

“We’ve taken care of our situation, with regrets about what happened and all, but we’ll welcome him back and expect him to do everything that everybody else does,” Carroll said.

Dennis said last week that coaches told him he would be reinstated for the BYU game. He said Monday that Carroll gave him official word on Friday before the Colorado State game.

Dennis said he let down teammates and coaches and learned a lesson.

“You need to follow the rules, and when you don’t follow the rules things happen,” he said. “I learned I need to be more careful, and I’ve just got to try to put all this stuff behind me and get ready for these upcoming games.”

Dennis’ return could complicate USC’s tailback situation. Sophomore Reggie Bush scored three touchdowns in the opener against Virginia Tech and sophomore LenDale White scored three touchdowns against Colorado State.

“We’ve made some great strides in the last month and we’re pretty well organized on how we want to do things,” Carroll said. “He needs to fit back into it like anybody else would in a competitive sense.”

White said he was happy to have Dennis back.

“He’s a great player and we really missed him,” White said.

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Carroll said freshmen defensive lineman Thomas Herring and tight end Eugene Germany would not attend school this semester because they were awaiting certification from the NCAA Clearinghouse.... Freshman Jeff Byers, who has played almost exclusively at center, worked extensively at left guard for drills.