Go for Green, Pink; Wright Out
USC cornerback Shareece Wright will not play against Oregon State and could miss up to six weeks. But his absence won't be caused by disciplinary action stemming from a pre-Ohio State felony resisting arrest charge, although Carroll did say that matter will be "handled internally". No, that stiff neck Wright's been dealing with...ends up it's due to a fractured vertebrae. The hairline fracture could take up to six weeks to heal, which means 5th year senior Josh Pinkard, who has sat out for two years battling knee injuries, will get his first start since the season opener against Arkansas in 2006.
Always one to push competition, Carroll has elevated backup quarterback Garrett Green to the number two spot on the depth chart, leaping over both Corp and Mustain.
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The receiver turned quarterback, Green will be the go-to-guy if Sanchez goes down. According to the Daily Trojan:
"We're going to leave the competition open throughout the next few weeks and just keep going," Carroll said. "We feel that right now, if we're going into the game that Garrett's going in first."
The only frightening prospect is this: What if Sanchez does really end up reaggravating the knee? Will any of the backups have enought substantial playing time, first-team reps, or confidence in their position to perform their potential. Is one confident backup better than three backups not-so-confident. But who am I to judge? The Carroll method of depth-chart competition has worked so far with the rotating tailbacks, why should quarterbacks be any different.
Either way, Thursday's game should be telling. With the Trojans favored by an average of 25 points, we'll likely see Garrett Green get some playing time mid-way through the forth. And if the games real lopsided, its likely all the backup QBs will get a drive in.
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