USC REPORT - Sanchez injures his right thumb
USC backup quarterback Mark Sanchez could sit out the season opener because of a hairline fracture in the thumb of his throwing hand.
Sanchez said Monday that he injured a bone in his right thumb when his hand struck another player's helmet after he threw a pass in Sunday night's scrimmage at the Coliseum.
Sanchez, who was No. 2 on the depth chart behind John David Booty, said doctors told him he might be out six weeks. The Trojans play Idaho on Sept. 1 at the Coliseum.
"I don't think it will be that long, but we'll see," Sanchez said.
Fifth-year senior Michael McDonald was elevated to Booty's backup, but freshman Aaron Corp took the majority of second-team snaps and will continue to do so during the next few days, Coach Pete Carroll said.
Corp completed all four of his passes and connected with freshman receiver Ronald Johnson for a nine-yard touchdown in Sunday's scrimmage.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for [Corp] to really step into it and see how far he can take it," Carroll said.
McDonald, a former walk-on, is prepared for whatever role is required.
"I'll just do what they tell me -- I'm ready to play if they need me to," he said.
Sophomore Garrett Green is the fourth quarterback.
Sanchez's injury occurred a few days after Carroll and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian counseled the third-year sophomore about trying too hard. The time away from competition on the field could be beneficial, Sarkisian said.
"Hopefully, it's an opportunity to step away a little bit and watch John David, how he handles situations on and off the field, whether it's the huddle, audibles or even dealing with the media," Sarkisian said. "There's a lot of things he can take a look at."
USC defensive end Kyle Moore was all smiles, at least until Monday.
After adopting a hybrid 3-4 defensive scheme last year, the Trojans are back to a 4-3 alignment and Moore is regarded as the front-runner to open the season as a starter.
But Moore and heralded freshman Everson Griffen, who is pushing Moore for playing time, had to be separated by teammates during practice.
Moore, a junior from Georgia, compared the incident to a fight between brothers. He said the incident began when he razzed Griffen about back soreness in the same way Frostee Rucker teased him two years ago.
