Wyatt Weighs Options

Top-ranked USC is preparing for an Arkansas team that leads the nation in rushing, but Trojan cornerback Justin Wyatt does not expect the Razorbacks to simply run the ball up the middle against an untested defensive line.

“They come with the option all kinds of different ways,” Wyatt said Monday after the Trojans returned from a two-day break. “Wide receivers run an option with them. It’s kind of wicked.”

Wyatt, a senior, initially thought he might be unavailable against the Razorbacks after he sustained a nasty head wound on a freakish play at the end of practice.

Wyatt was kneeling on the sideline watching a team drill when receiver Chris McFoy caught a pass and was tackled by cornerback Cary Harris. The players rolled toward Wyatt and McFoy’s foot struck Wyatt above the left eye.

“It didn’t hurt when it happened. I just started cussing and stuff,” Wyatt said. “Then I saw the blood and thought it was higher on my forehead and I wouldn’t be able to wear a helmet.”

Wyatt took five stitches in his eyebrow to close the wound and said he would be ready for Saturday’s game at the Coliseum.

“Hopefully it doesn’t hurt when I hit something,” he said.

Coach Pete Carroll said he was looking forward to testing his team against Arkansas, the first of 10 consecutive games before the Trojans’ next open date.

“The bye will be needed when it comes way down the road,” he said. “Right now, it’s just time to get in the rhythm of playing week-to-week football.”

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Sophomore safety Josh Pinkard continued to work with the first-unit defense in place of Darnell Bing, who again did not practice because of a hip injury sustained in the season opener against Hawaii.

Bing said he hoped to play Saturday.

“I don’t have to be at full speed or full strength,” he said. “I want to be close enough to where I’ll be comfortable with it and play a few downs during the game.”

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Punter Tom Malone, who has been nursing a hip injury since the start of training camp, took one kick during team drills, then limped to the sideline and crumpled to the ground.

“It didn’t pop or anything, it just felt real painful,” said Malone, a 2003 All-American who would be replaced again by walk-on Taylor Odegard if he is unable to play against Arkansas.

Oft-injured fullback Brandon Hancock also could not escape practice unscathed. The junior emerged from the locker room wearing a protective boot on his right ankle and said he was on his way to get X-rays.

“It’s been like a domino effect -- I’m just waiting to run out of dominoes,” said Hancock, who has had multiple surgeries during his career. “I thought I spent my fair share already but we’ll see.

“I don’t think it’s going to be anything too serious. But then again, I always say that.”

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Receiver Whitney Lewis, who missed several weeks because of a shoulder injury, practiced for the first time but was held out of contact drills. “I’m tried to push myself as far as I could go,” he said. “We’re taking it day by day.” ... Freshman defensive end Kyle Moore (knee sprain) went through individual drills and said he would probably be ready to play Saturday. ... Carroll said freshmen linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga and freshman split end Patrick Turner made the greatest strides during bye-week practices.