The Trojans’ first practice after two days off saw the return of a few injured players, but also bad news about a defensive starter. As a whole, though, it appears that the team is actually getting healthier (for a change).

• CB Josh Pinkard will miss the Nebraska game. He missed the opener with what was described as a bone bruise in his knee, but now believes the injury to be more serious after unsuccessfully attempting to practice with the team Monday. A new diagnosis is expected by Tuesday night.
• WR Patrick Turner and RB Chauncey Washington each returned to practice on Monday, although neither has been cleared for contact yet. Both players are hoping to play in the Nebraska game.
• RB Joe McKnight impressed during practice and appears to be nearing full speed, despite still wearing a knee brace. He was unable to participate in last Friday’s drills.
• QB Mark Sanchez fully participated in practice–including taking snaps–for the first time since breaking his thumb during fall camp.
• LB Brian Cushing did not practice on Monday–and may not until Wednesday or Thursday–but said he’ll be playing on Saturday. Fellow backer Kaluka Maiava was able to return to practice.
• OL Matt Spanos hopes to play on Saturday, but that is looking extremely unlikely at this point. (If he does make it back, it will be as a backup guard and/or tackle.) Also on the O-line, there appears to be a heated competition for starting right tackle between Drew Radovich and Charles Brown, with Radovich getting the bulk of the first-team snaps today.
• The Los Angeles Times (link below) reports in Tuesday’s edition about an odd incident over the weekend, in which a man claiming to be Trojan lineman Fili Moala was arrested by Claremont police for public intoxication. Moala was cleared of any wrongdoing on Monday when fingerprints and a look at Moala’s roster photo revealed that the man taken in custody was definitely not him.

Note that ESPN’s College GameDay crew–like the Trojans–will be at Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday.

Maualuga helps a ‘Husker (OC Register)
False identification in arrest (LA Times)
USC cornerback Pinkard is sidelined (Daily News)
Cushing, Turner to play; Pinkard out (Daily Trojan)
USC injury report (Scout, $)
Nebraska Week-Monday Practice (Scout, $)
Monday Insider: Aches, pains and gains (Rivals, $)