The PFN M*A*S*H Unit

All sorts of injury news to catch you up on from Arizona State and around the Pac-10 and the Sun Devils schedule...

Arizona State

ASU WR Nate Kimbrough, who has been on the injured list more than he's been on the field throughout his career in Tempe, found himself the victim of another freak incident late last week. Kimbrough was struck in the face with a weight plate during strength training, breaking a bone around his eye. Surgery will keep him out at least one month. This will probably lead to Kerry Taylor and maybe even Gerrell Robinson getting extra reps in practice.

Starting defensive end Luiz Vasquez sprained an ankle in practice this weekend and was spotted on a trainers table during the waning moments of Saturday's workout with the ankle wrapped in ice. Head coach Dennis Erickson says he's day to day.

USC

Those surrouding the USC program breathed a huge sigh of relief this weekend when x-rays revealed no ligament, cartilage or bone damage around his dislocated kneecap. He's still in a long leg boot and on crutches but says he hopes to be back for the Trojans August 30 opener at Virginia.

The bigger story around this, however, is how Steve Sarkisian was a bit noncommittal about handing the temporary reins to highly touted Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain. Not sure how Mustain's camp has gone, but the coaches say that if Sanchez cant go in Charlottesville, it'll be either Mustain or redshirt freshman Aaron Corp.

Georgia

Starting safety Quintin Banks tore his MCL in practice and will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair it. He'll be out at least six weeks, which puts his availability for their game in Tempe in jeopardy. He'll be replaced by redshirt freshman John Knox.

UCLA

What a muddled situation the Bruins find themselves in now, and who knew that they MIGHT be missing good ol' McLeod Bethel-Thompson? With Patrick Cowan already out for the year, UCLA was counting on Ben Olson, also recovering from his own injury problems from the Spring, to be the starter. Not so much. Olson broke a bone in his foot at practice and is out for at least six weeks; it's the same foot he broke a few months ago.

With Olson out, the job now falls to either JuCo transfer Kevin Craft or redshirt freshman Chris Forcier to take the starting reins, and whoever it is will be thrown right into the fire as the Bruins open their season against SEC powerhouse Tennessee.