Linebacker Brian Cushing was in pads for the first time since spraining his ankle in the Idaho game but no more than 85 to 90 percent at best, he said, before downgrading his still uncertain left ankle.

“I jogged on it fine,” he said. “But planting on it is the problem. I think I’ll be able to go, knowing me.”

USC Coach Pete Carroll said they won’t know until Saturday. “They don’t want him to run until then. If he’s ready, he’ll play.”

If he’s not, Clay Matthews, who has been starting in Cushing’s spot, will.

“We’ve had two weeks with Clay there,” Carroll said.