Washington, Moody have MRI exams

USC’s running back corps will not be at full strength for the Trojans’ Pacific 10 Conference showdown against California.

Junior tailback Chauncey Washington, who sprained his knee during last week’s victory over Oregon, is expected to play Saturday when the fourth-ranked Trojans take on the 17th-ranked Golden Bears for the conference title.

But freshman tailback Emmanuel Moody said Monday that he would probably miss two to three weeks because of an ankle injury.

Both players had MRI exams Monday, according to Coach Pete Carroll.

Washington was injured early in the game against Oregon but returned and rushed for a career-best 119 yards and three touchdowns in 15 carries, helping USC to a 35-10 victory.

“For a couple days, we’ll be real light on him out here,” Carroll said. “We’re going to give him a chance to make sure he can get back.

“We’ll really pump the young guys in there during the first couple days of the week and we’ll see about Wednesday or Thursday. We’re planning on him playing.”

Moody, USC’s second-leading rusher, said he may have suffered a torn ligament against Oregon.

“It’s nothing serious, nothing season-ending, it’s just going to take some time to heal,” he said.

With Washington and Moody out for part of the Oregon game, freshman C.J. Gable rushed six times and scored the Trojans’ first touchdown. Gable, who has been nursing a groin strain, had not carried more than five times since the second game of the season against Nebraska.

Freshman Stafon Johnson worked with the scout team and also with the first-string offense Monday.

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Freshman receiver Travon Patterson text-messaged Cal receiver DeSean Jackson after practice and freshman cornerback Vincent Joseph said he also communicates regularly with their former Long Beach Poly High teammate.

Jackson, a sophomore, is averaging 18 yards a catch and a nation-best 20.7 yards per punt return. He has scored four touchdowns on punt returns.

“We have to do our best at taking his speed away,” Patterson said. “I mean, if you get in his head you can get him.”

Joseph plays on the punt coverage team.

“You have to try and get there before the ball,” he said. “And if he doesn’t fair catch it, then try to knock his head off.”

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Carroll said he spoke to Verle Sorgen, the Pac-10’s coordinator of football officials, about the nearly 15-minute delay that ensued when officials reviewed a touchdown catch by Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart. Replay officials nullified the touchdown after determining Stewart stepped out of bounds before coming back on the field and making the catch. Ducks Coach Mike Bellotti successfully challenged the ruling on a different issue -- whether the ball had first been tipped. Oregon was ultimately awarded the touchdown. “Mike did a nice job of realizing that they didn’t make the call based on the ball being tipped. ... He did the right thing. It just took too long,” Carroll said. ... Receiver Chris McFoy (shoulder) and fullback Stanley Havili (knee) will be examined today. Both said they hoped to be cleared for Saturday’s game.

gary.klein@latimes.com