Byrd Is Close to Returning From Knee Injuries

USC tight end Dominique Byrd, who has not practiced in more than 11 months because of knee injuries, said Wednesday that there is a chance he could return next week.

“It just depends on where my knee is, if I’m feeling comfortable with cutting and everything,” said Byrd, a junior who started six games last season and caught 14 passes for 168 yards.

Byrd had surgery after suffering torn ligaments in his left knee against Stanford on Oct. 11. He went through rehabilitation and was on track to return before breaking his left kneecap playing basketball a week before training camp began.

The top-ranked Trojans play at Brigham Young on Saturday and at Stanford on Sept. 25. They have a bye before playing California at the Coliseum on Oct. 9.

Byrd has been active on the field recently, causing Coach Pete Carroll to say Wednesday that Byrd would practice next week.

“The coaches just see me run a couple routes and they’re like, ‘OK, he can take hits,’ ” Byrd said. “It’s hard for them to know exactly.... He may be a little anxious, but that’s just Coach Carroll being optimistic about the kind of players we are.”

Byrd said he would not risk re-injuring the knee by returning too soon.

“If I’m in any doubt, I’ll just wait till that bye week and that will be a great time to get back into the mix of things,” he said.

The Trojans were hoping that senior Alex Holmes and Byrd would provide them with one of the nation’s best tight end combinations. But Holmes has been hampered by a calf strain. He has caught three passes for 19 yards.

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According to Carroll, safety Darnell Bing had “probably the best day he’s ever had at practice,” and attributed Bing’s effort to competition.

Scott Ware started against Colorado State because Bing was nursing a sore left shoulder that has bothered him since before the season opener against Virginia Tech.

“My shoulder is a lot better,” Bing said.

“There’s always been competition whether it looks like it or not. No one’s job is safe.”

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USC has no players on its roster from Utah, but the Trojans have connections to Brigham Young other than offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

Receiver Todd Watkins, who leads the Cougars with 11 receptions for 204 yards, is the younger brother of USC offensive lineman Travis Watkins. A large contingent of the Watkins family from San Diego is expected to travel to Provo, Utah, on Saturday, many wearing special T-shirts commemorating the occasion.

USC offensive lineman Taitusi Lutui, who was a junior college All-American last season at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, is related to BYU offensive lineman Ofa Mohetau, defensive back David Tafuna and defensive lineman T.J. Sitake.

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Carroll said he has been pleased by tailback Hershel Dennis’ effort but was not planning to play him against BYU. “We’re ready to go, and if we need him he’s ready to go,” Carroll said.... Quarterback Rocky Hinds and receiver Jason Mitchell did not practice because of illness, Carroll said.