Bush Is Limited by Hip Injury

Running back Reggie Bush, who disregarded a sore right knee in rushing for three touchdowns against Notre Dame, did not participate in most of Thursday’s practice because of a sore hip, Coach Pete Carroll said.

Bush took part in kick return drills, then spent most of the rest of practice running a figure-eight pattern under the supervision of a strength coach. Bush left practice just before the workout ended.

“We just don’t want to push it right now,” Carroll said of Bush’s condition.

Bush injured his knee against Arizona on Oct. 8 but vaulted into the forefront of Heisman Trophy discussion by rushing for 160 yards and scoring on runs of 36, 45 and nine yards against Notre Dame.

Bush touched the ball 27 times against the Fighting Irish -- he ran 15 times, caught four passes, returned four kickoffs and three punts and also threw a pass -- and accumulated 265 all-purpose yards.

Earlier this season, Bush amassed 267 yards in 30 touches against Oregon and sat out two days of practice the following week because of soreness.

Bush has rushed 86 times for 761 yards. At the same point last season, Bush had 64 carries for 374 yards.

Carroll said Bush would be ready when the top-ranked Trojans resumed their Pacific 10 Conference schedule Saturday at Washington.

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Safety Darnell Bing will take injured Desmond Reed’s spot on the kickoff return team, Carroll said. Freshman Will Harris might take Reed’s spot on the kickoff coverage team.... USC practiced on grass for the first time this week after spending the previous three days on artificial turf at Cromwell Field. The grass field was re-sodded last weekend, but rain and other complications prevented the Trojans from using their regular facility.