RB Stafon Johnson has not practiced at all this week, and according to most published reports, he will likely not play Saturday against Stanford to let his bruised foot heal properly. Assuming Johnson won’t play, and with the news that C.J. Gable has opted for season-ending surgery to repair a sports hernia, the Trojan coaches are looking for a “hot hand” to accompany Chauncey Washington in the regular tailback rotation against Stanford. Read on for more notes from Wednesday.

• Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian told reporters, “We’re not going to give it to Chauncey 42 times this week,” alluding to the open competition among the lesser-used backs to get snaps against Stanford. It seems likely that the coaches will give freshman Joe McKnight plenty of opportunities to show what he’s capable of against Stanford, especially because he was used so sparingly in the hostile environment in Seattle. And although both Desmond Reed and Hershel Dennis will likely see time in the backfield considering their strengths in pass blocking, Allen Bradford will almost certainly see a significant expansion of his role, previously limited to goal-line situations: “If it’s my turn, I’m going to take it and run with it.”
• Apparently what was perplexing the media and Trojan fans for weeks - why Gable wasn’t being played more after his brilliance against Nebraska - was a known, but an unsaid situation within the team. Pete Carroll described Gable as a “warrior” in attempting to play through the pain, but said that opting for surgery, which will keep him out for 8 weeks (and will allow him to participate in spring practice), was “the sensible, right thing to do.” Gable told reporters he was not forced into the decision, either by coaches or his family. If he is granted a medical redshirt, which is expected, it will set up another incredibly competitive situation among tailbacks in 2008, with the emergence of current redshirts Mark Tyler and Broderick Green.
• CB Cary Harris practiced Wednesday, but he has yet to cleared to play Saturday. He’ll be re-evaluated again prior to the game. Trainers equipped his shoulder pads with a special harness to give the injured shoulder stability. Carroll won’t let Harris hit anyone during the week to give the shoulder a break. Harris noted, “I passed all the tests, my strength is back, I’m ready to go.” Mozique McCurtis, who will start in Harris’ place if Harris isn’t cleared, sat out much of practice with an old knee injury flare up - a regular issue which is given a rest periodically.
• No decision has been made as to who will start in place of the injured Chilo Rachal at right guard, but redshirt freshman Zack Heberer has practiced extensively with the first team, though senior Tiny Malu, who was dinged up during the Washington game, could just as easily fill the role.
• Kicker David Buehler went two-for-three on field goals in practice, making from 20 and 32, missing from 42. I’m looking forward to the time when Buehler has more consistency in practice, which will hopefully then carry over to confidence in the games. With USC’s relative inconsistency in the red zone against Washington State and Washington, Buehler’s leg figures to be hugely important this year.

USC Notebook: Gable’s Season Over (The Press-Enterprise)
USC RB Gable agrees to have season-ending surgery (LA Daily News)
Gable to have season-ending surgery (LA Times)
USC’s Gable chooses surgery (Orange County Register)
Thursday Insider: Backs battle for Johnson’s carries (Rivals, $)