Orange County Register

USC’s coaching and training staffs were encouraged by wide receiver/punt returner Damian Williams’ progress in practice on Tuesday, Trojan coach Pete Carroll said.

While still cautious about Williams’ chances of playing against UCLA Saturday at the Coliseum, Carroll said Williams ran better on Tuesday than the staff had expected.

Williams is trying to come back from an ankle sprain suffered against Arizona State.

“He got some stuff done today,” Carroll said. “He was running pretty smooth…way better than I thought he would today. It was a big plus for him.”

The return of Williams would be a major plus for a Trojan offense that has struggled in recent weeks.

In a nine quarter stretch covering the Oregon State, Oregon and Arizona State games, USC offense/special teams scored four touchdowns. Three of those TDs were provided by Williams. When he’s healthy Williams is simply one of the most dangerous players in the Pac-10. He is second in the conference in both receiving (76.4 ypg) and punt returns (16.3 ypr).

More from USC blog:

• USC football: Taylor Mays, All-American optimist
• Reading between the hash marks: Rick Neuheisel
• USC football: RoJo tries to recapture his mojo
• USC football: Passing game struggling … or is it?
• USC football: If there’s a Williams, there’s a way
• USC football: Williams still uncertain for UCLA
• Is USC-UCLA bigger than a bowl game?

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