There wasn’t a whole lot of good news coming out of Howard Jones Field on Monday, at least as far as injuries are concerned. We run down the latest on the status of USC’s injured players–including QB John David Booty–in our daily coverage roundup.

• Booty (cracked fingertip) was held out of practice on Monday, with Mark Sanchez getting the first-team reps at quarterback. However, Booty seems intent on playing on Saturday, and doctors eventually cleared him to practice. He hopes to return to the practice field on Tuesday, although it depends on whether the swelling in his finger has subsided to the point where he can grip the football. There were some conflicting statements made on Monday, but it appears that the coaches want to see at least one good practice from Booty this week before confirming him as Saturday’s starter.
• At this point, CB Shareece Wright, RB Stafon Johnson, OG Chilo Rachal, and LB Brian Cushing (in decreasing likelihood of playing) all have a chance at returning for Saturday’s game against Arizona, although none of the four practiced on Monday. Johnson thinks he can return to practice on Wednesday.
• OL Matt Spanos (lacerated finger) missed Monday’s practice as well, but is expected to play Saturday. He had stitches put in his finger.
• LB Thomas Williams (ankle) and OL Butch Lewis (ankle) were also held out of drills.
• Coaches attributed two of Booty’s four interceptions in the Stanford game to miscommunication with the receivers, and mentioned an overall lack of experience in the receiving corp as having an effect on the passing game in general.
• Although Allen Bradford appears to be the odd man out in the tailback rotation (with no playing time the past two weeks), you won’t hear him complaining, at least publicly. He seems to be saying all the right things to the press, indicating today that after what Hershel Dennis and Chauncey Washington have gone through the past few years, “I feel that I can’t complain. … Whenever my opportunity comes up, I’ll go in and do what I’ve got to do.” He also indicated that he has no desire to switch positions.

USC’s Booty sits out practice (AP via SI.com)
In carnage of Stanford loss-USC talks and talks (Rivals, $)
Backup quarterback Sanchez steps in (LA Times)
Cracks were there well before USC fell through them (LA Times)
Dwyre: Trojans misery needs the company (LA Times)
USC unsure about Booty’s status (OC Register)
USC QB Booty unsure of start (Press-Telegram)