updated 3:34 p.m. ET Oct. 6, 2008

USC coach Pete Carroll said quarterback Mark Sanchez "has a chance to play" this week against Arizona State after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee against Oregon, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Carroll said X-rays and an MRI exam showed no ligament damage, and the injury is unrelated to the dislocated kneecap that sidelined the junior from USC's training camp.

Sanchez, who has worn a brace on his left knee all season, was injured in the third quarter of the Trojans' 44-10 victory over the Ducks.

"Thankfully, I had the patella stabilizer and the brace and that took care of me," Sanchez told the newspaper. Through four games played, Sanchez has thrown for 1,069 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Mitch Mustain, who had 111 yards and one touchdown against Oregon, would start if Sanchez could not play, Carroll said.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

Get ready for mass exodus Trash Talk: SEC not all it’s cracked up to be Predictions 101: Ohio State to roll, N.D. to win squeaker Opinion: 10 bowl matchups that would be a treat Bowl Projections: Big Ten blows BCS spot CFT: ‘By the numbers’ — McCoy goes for record From Big 12 snub to possible BCS for TCU SEC's season one of contenders and complaints   Vote: Which is the best conference? Iowa-Ohio St. in-depth video preview, analysis College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: