White Likely to Play With Shoulder Bruise

USC running back LenDale White said Monday that he would probably play Saturday against UCLA despite a shoulder bruise that might prevent him from practicing this week.

White, who has rushed for 1,024 yards and a team-high 19 touchdowns, was injured during practice Sunday when he was tackled during a drill. He did not attend practice Monday, but said afterward that X-rays revealed no damage other than a bruise and that a team doctor told him he should be able to play against the 11th-ranked Bruins.

“It was a great relief just knowing that it’s not a serious injury,” White said. “It’s nothing that they told me to be worried about for a long time. It’s just something that should be taken care of by the end of the week.”

Coach Pete Carroll said White would not practice today and that he would be evaluated daily.

“We’ll protect him and take care of him and give him a chance to help us on game day,” Carroll said.

White has a history of overcoming injuries and ailments in time to play. Last season, he suffered an ankle injury against UCLA and barely practiced in the weeks leading up to the Orange Bowl. But White played against Oklahoma and rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns in 15 carries.

White said he remained in pain but was encouraged by the doctor’s assessment that he might be able to practice Thursday. White said he would not take a pain-killing injection to play against the Bruins.

With the tailback corps depleted by injuries, Carroll said he instructed defensive players to avoid hard contact with running back Reggie Bush, who is also nursing a shoulder injury and might have to carry a heavier load if White is unavailable or not at full strength against UCLA.

“We’ve got to make sure he makes it through the week,” Carroll said. “We already put the word out: Make sure we don’t have any accidents out here.”

Fullbacks David Kirtman and Brandon Hancock took snaps in White’s place and will continue to do so through the week.

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Linebacker Keith Rivers and receiver Patrick Turner, both suffering from hamstring injuries, will see a doctor tonight with hopes of receiving clearance to practice.... Receiver Steve Smith did not attend practice because of an academic study session, Carroll said.