Three Hurt in Last Drill

A two-minute drill at the end of practice Thursday resulted in a night of anxiety for USC coaches as three key players were injured only a few hours after another showed up at practice with a plastic boot on his left foot.

Freshman guard Fred Matua appeared to sustain the worst damage. He injured his right knee on the same play senior tailback Justin Fargas appeared to tweak the right hamstring he injured on Aug. 17. One play later, senior quarterback Carson Palmer hurt his left ankle while sliding to the ground.

By that time, freshman receiver Mike Williams had already exited for tests on his left foot. Williams experienced pain after Wednesday’s workout and attended Thursday’s practice outfitted in a boot that extended from his toes to his knee.

“It was a heck of a day,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said.

Fargas and Matua were hurt as the first-team offense ran a screen pass against the first-team defense. Fargas caught the ball and accelerated to full speed, but grabbed the side of his right leg after he was bumped to the ground and then retired to the trainer’s table.

Meanwhile, Matua was assisted to the sideline clutching his right knee.

Matua walked off the field after practice, but he required assistance from teammates as he traveled to the locker room. Fargas exited under his own power and said he felt fine. So did Palmer. “I just rolled it. It’s fine,” Palmer said.

All three underwent tests Thursday night.

Matua replaced injured senior Zach Wilson on the first day of camp and was scheduled to start Monday against Auburn. If Matua cannot play, Carroll said he could be replaced by senior Derek Graf or sophomore Travis Watkins.

Fargas, who went into training camp listed as the No. 1 tailback, hoped to be ready for the Auburn game. But Carroll said that Fargas would not play unless he was at full strength.

Redshirt freshman Matt Leinart is Palmer’s backup for the opener.

Williams is listed as Kareem Kelly’s backup at wide receiver. Grant Mattos or Jason Mitchell would fill that role if Williams cannot play against Auburn, Carroll said.

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In the latest switch from offense to defense, senior Doyal Butler moved from tight end to defensive line.... Carroll said receiver Kareem Kelly would return punts against Auburn.