LOS ANGELES — USC should get at least one of its injured stars back for Saturday's game against Arizona State.

Middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, who missed the Oregon game because of a sprained right knee, participated in about half of practice Tuesday, including contact drills.

Maualuga, who wore a large black brace, said he "felt good" but still could feel some soreness in the knee, which he sprained near the end of the Oregon State game Sept. 25. Coach Pete Carroll liked what he saw.

"He's real close," Carroll said. "It looked to me like he could have played today."

Maualuga appears to be further along than quarterback Mark Sanchez, who threw passes at the start of practice but did not participate in any team drills. Sanchez suffered a bone bruise in his left knee against the Ducks.

Carroll said Sanchez's knee has improved every day, but it's still too early to tell whether he'll be able to play Saturday.

Doctors examined both players' knees Tuesday evening and found no additional damage. Both are expected to increase their workloads today.

Brian Cushing started in Maualuga's spot against Oregon and has been working at the middle and strongside linebacker spots this week.

Mitch Mustain is in line to start at quarterback if Sanchez can't go.

Mustain took almost all the first-team reps Tuesday. That's a bigger workload than he's used to, and it showed.

Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said Mustain "got a little bit tired" in the middle portion of practice, leading to an overall performance that Carroll termed "spotty."

Most of Mustain's struggles came during the 11-on-11 blitz period, when USC's offensive line — missing senior guard Jeff Byers, who sat out because of a minor knee injury — had a hard time protecting the quarterback.

"Any quarterback's going to struggle when they have that much rush," Carroll said.

Mustain thought he fared "pretty well."

"I had a really good opportunity to get a lot of reps, go from start to finish, and not really let up," he said. "For me personally, it was good work."

EXTRA POINTS

Tailback Allen Bradford did not practice and will be held out all week in the hope that his torn hip muscle responds to rest. He will have an MRI on Friday and plans to test the hip Monday. He could take a medical redshirt if it doesn't respond. ...

Fullback Stanley Havili suffered a neck stinger when he collided with guard Khaled Holmes on the final play of practice. Havili lay on the ground for several minutes but said he plans to play.