In this installment of our daily report, we recap the coverage of Tuesday’s football practice, which was the second workout of fall training camp. Many players–especially Joe McKnight–are continuing to excel in the early going, although the team experienced its first major injury of the season during the session.

Who looked good

• Freshman RB McKnight has impressed onlookers–and head coach Pete Carroll–in the first two days of practice. Carroll told the press that the coaches still need to get a look at him in pads to see his blocking ability, but so far, “We haven’t found anything he doesn’t look good at right now.”
• David Buehler made all three of his field goal attempts, perhaps responding to comments from his coach that the placekicking job was up for grabs.
• Carroll also singled out the play of S Josh Pinkard, who has looked good returning from last season’s injury.
• All of the Trojans’ top receivers have looked good at times during the first two days of practice. The LA Times especially notes the leadership role that Patrick Turner has taken upon himself, and quotes sophomore Vidal Hazelton as saying “It’s a lot easier than last year,” thanks to the added experience.
• Freshman defensive lineman Christian Tupou continued to impress with his intensity.
• Scout was also impressed with the quickness of backup linebacker Clay Matthews.

Injuries and problems

• DE Trey Henderson suffered the first injury of fall camp when he was carted off the field with what was later diagnosed as a torn meniscus in his right knee. The true freshman will undergo surgery next week and will likely miss at least 4-6 weeks of practice (and is now almost certain to redshirt this season).
• OT Drew Radovich (back) missed practice again Tuesday, with Charles Brown getting most of his reps at right tackle (and making the most of them). The latter put in extra work with linemate Sam Baker over the summer, and seems to have an edge over Thomas Herring for the starting spot should Radovich continue to sit out.
• Freshmen Broderick Green, Marc Tyler, and Brandon Carswell sat out for the second consecutive day while awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse about their eligibility.

Also of note

• Scott Wolf reports that coaches are giving freshman Aaron Corp a lot of reps now because he may rise to #3 on the depth chart at QB. He has been having problems with false starts, however–in addition to the typical freshman challenges of learning the playbook and the college game.
• McKnight, Ronald Johnson, Desmond Reed, and Jamere Holland were all tried as punt returners, with none standing out but all looking fairly good.
• The Daily News reports that since the defense is generally so experienced and established, Carroll is giving the underclassmen on that side of the ball long looks in the early going to get them up to speed.
• Former Trojan receiver Curtis Conway was on hand to observe practice.

Tuesday’s practice notes: McKnight on the rise (Rivals, $)
Tuesday Practice Report (WeAreSC)
Turner takes leadership role with receivers (LA Times)
Photo Report - USC Practice Day 2 (Scout)
USC LB Maualuga hoping for more big hits (Daily News)