Let the Sanchez speculation begin

August 8th, 2008, 10:00 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Michael Lev, staff writer

Estimates on Mark Sanchez’s return from a dislocated left kneecap range from 10 days to several weeks, depending on whom you ask.

As noted in my story about the injury, USC graduate assistant coach Kris Richard played two weeks after suffering a similar injury — but was never quite right after coming back.

Lakers center Andrew Bynum missed the remainder of the 2007-08 season after dislocating his kneecap in January. But Bynum also suffered a bone bruise and had past knee problems. Sanchez has no such issues.

The best-case scenario, obviously, is for Sanchez to return before USC’s Aug. 30 opener at Virginia.

The Trojans probably can win that game without him. They then face Ohio State on Sept. 13.

If Sanchez were to return between the Virginia and Ohio State games, would he be the best option to face the Buckeyes?

That’d be an extremely tough call for Pete Carroll. That’s why he makes the big bucks.

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