LOS ANGELES — USC’s final practice before leaving for the Midwest on Thursday was supposed to end at 12:30 p.m.

At around 12:35, Trojan tailback C.J. Gable, USC’s leading kick-off return specialist, injured his left knee and had to be helped off the field.
With buses waiting to take USC to LAX just a few yards away, Gable appeared to bang knees with another player during a kick-off on one of the final plays of the practice at Katherine B. Locker Stadium.
Gable was attended to by the training staff for several minutes before being carried to the sideline.
He was eventually able to stand gingerly on his own.
Gable was not allowed to speak with reporters on Thursday.
“We have to wait and see,” USC coach Pete Carroll said of Gable’s status. “It might be a bruised knee. That happens quite often and it can be really, really sore for him. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Gable is currently averaging 23.2 yards per return.
SURPRISE VISITOR
USC tailback Stafon Johnson made a surprise visit to Heritage Hall in the morning, returning to the Trojan athletic complex for the first time since a potentially catastrophic weight lifting accident ended his season.
Johnson was warmly received as he walked into a team meeting just one day after being released from a local hospital and less than three weeks after undergoing seven hours of emergency throat surgery.
“He made a surprise visit to the guys during the team meeting, which was really fun,” Carroll said.
“Got a chance to visit with him. He was lit up and in good spirits and made everybody else feel real good as he’s been doing the whole time. It was good uplift I’m sure for him but our guys as well.”
NOTES
Carroll said he was uncertain whether junior Christian Tupou or sophomore Armond Armstead will start at nose guard Saturday. Tupou has been slowed in practice by a knee injury. Armstead, himself, is returning after missing the first five games with a broken foot. “I don’t know that yet we want to take a look and see how Christian looked on film,” Carroll said. ...
Carroll said he was pleased with the continued progress of weak side linebacker Malcolm Smith, wide out Ronald Johnson and defensive end Nick Perry, all coming back from injuries, this week. “Malcolm’s ready to go,” Carroll said. “RoJo was good today and Nick was fine, ready to go.”...