Scott Wolf cites unnamed sources who tell him that Brian Cushing’s sprained ankle is serious enough that the linebacker could be out for a month, possibly until the Notre Dame game on October 20. He’s officially listed as “probable” for Saturday, but his status will be clarified on Thursday. Pete Carroll told reporters “It will be a haul to get back (this week).” Read on for more injury news and some deep thoughts on UW QB Jake Locker.

• Cushing’s replacement at strong-side linebacker, Clay Matthews, who figured to start for the third straight week with his healing broken thumb, sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder against Washington State. Presumably in response to the loss of Cushing and this uncertainty surrounding Matthews, but also because they’ll be facing the highly mobile Locker, the coaching staff moved Keith Rivers from weak-side to strong-side linebacker and inserted Kaluka Maiava as the starter at weak-side LB.
• Carroll told reporters not to count CB Cary Harris (dislocated shoulder) out and expressed admiration for his toughness, but Harris still has not been cleared to practice and is doubtful for Saturday. Harris was scheduled to see a doctor Tuesday night for a progress report on how well his shoulder joint is healing.
• OG Chilo Rachal missed part of practice with back tightness, and LB Malcolm Smith was bothered by a strained hip.
• C Matt Spanos participated in full-contact practice for the first time since injuring his triceps, but he lined up at service team left tackle which seems to suggest Kris O’Dowd is entrenched for the time being at center.
• Vincent Joseph returned to practice and should see time in nickel and dime packages, but C.J. Gable will remain the starting kick returner. Gable was the starting returner in fall camp before his groin injury elevated Joseph to the top spot.
• After failing to record a sack in the first eight games last year, DE Lawrence Jackson has three sacks in three games this year. With respect to facing the crafty Locker, Jackson noted, “As long as you have someone keeping the rush balanced, you can still go after the quarterback.”
• Rivals explores contrasting perspectives of Jake Locker from within the Trojan linebacking corps. Lawrence Jackson insists, “No, he doesn’t remind me of Vince Young at all,” but Rey Maualuga remarked, “Preparing for a guy like that is just like two years ago, preparing for Vince Young. He’s not going to run out of bounds; he’s not going to dip his shoulder. He’s going to run into you.”
• Locker has averaged 6.6 yards per carry in his first four games for a total of 90 yards per game, but he’s completed only 53 percent of his passes, throwing 6 interceptions to go with his 6 touchdowns.
• Carroll on Locker: “He poses a lot of problems, and I’m having trouble seeing anything else when I’m looking at them. They’re playing good defense, they’ve got good receivers. Louis Rankin is a heck of a running back, but Jake just steals the show. So we’re going to have to do everything we can to slow him down and keep him from being the factor that controls the football game. I think he’s that good. In the years to come he’s going to be just a remarkable player. Fortunately we’re getting him in his first year. Get him in years two and three, he’s going to be ridiculous. We’re really impressed with him.”

Sources: USC linebacker Cushing to miss three games (LA Daily News)
Mays eagerly awaits his trip home (LA Times)
USC’s Fred Davis is on the receiving end of attention (LA Times)
Tuesday Insider: USC preps for budding Locker (Rivals, $)
Deep ball still a possibility for USC offense (Daily Trojan)
Pete Carroll Talks About Saturday’s Game At Washington (CSTV)
Pete Carroll’s Tuesday Press Conference (AM 570)