** The offensive line welcomed back senior left guard Jeff Byers, who has been cleared for full practice participation after missing most of camp because of an illness.
** Backup linemen Tyron Smith and Alex Parsons also returned to practice.
** Freshman tight end Blake Ayles returned from a concussion and caught three passes from Aaron Corp, his teammate at Orange Lutheran High.
** Starting cornerback Cary Harris sat out because of a sprained right shoulder. He said he’d miss about three days.
** Carroll on USC being ranked third in The Associated Press’ preseason Top 25: “We’re falling in the polls already, huh?” USC was No. 2 in the USA Today coaches’ poll.
