SC NOTEBOOK: JACKSON TO ACTION? : RESERVE TAILBACK COULD GET CHANCE TO MAKE IMPACT.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

Redshirt junior Jabari Jackson has been nearly invisible since he arrived at USC last season. But with tailback Malaefou MacKenzie out for the season with a knee injury, Jackson might emerge as a candidate for playing time.

``The wild card is Jabari Jackson,'' USC coach Paul Hackett said, while assessing the tailback situation. ``He's going to get a shot in the single- and two-back offense.''

Jackson, who was a junior-college All-American at San Francisco, considered transferring last season but said he feels ready to compete at the tailback position.

``We definitely all know somebody has to step up,'' Jackson said. ``I'm going to try to make it be myself. I feel I've worked hard.''

Jackson is officially grouped with Frank Strong as the No. 3 tailback, behind starter Chad Morton and No. 2 Petros Papadakis.

With freshman Sultan McCullough now looking like the No. 5 back, it has probably become the deepest position on the team.

Denmon, Douglas miss practice: Neither offensive linemen Rome Douglas nor Eric Denmon attended practice Thursday because of ``family issues,'' according to Hackett. Denmon flew to Texas to be with his grandfather, who is seriously ill.

``He'll be back Tuesday,'' said Hackett, who said both were excused from practice.

Nielsen happy: Freshman defensive end Ryan Nielsen from Royal High got his first career start against Purdue, and once he got over the initial surprise of starting, he felt he did fine.

``It was fun. I was in so fast, I didn't have a chance to get excited (about starting),'' Nielsen said. ``I did all right. I played about what I expected. I was pleased with that.''

Low profile for Palmer: Even with all the media attention focused on Carson Palmer after his big game against Purdue, the freshman has managed to avoid being caught up in the hoopla.

Palmer doesn't have a phone yet at his apartment. He moved his furniture into his apartment this week.

``I don't even have a TV yet,'' he said. ``I'm out of touch with everything.''

Big-time bed check: Some players were stunned last Saturday night, when the 11 p.m. curfew check was personally enforced by Hackett, who visited every player's room.

``You would never have imagined John Robinson coming in for a bed check,'' wide receiver R. Jay Soward said. ``But coach Hackett's a very believable person.''

No practice: Hackett decided to cancel practice today and give the team a day off.

``When you don't have a game, lethargic might be the best way to go,'' Hackett said.

Bowen update: Hackett said he would like to have offensive tackle Ken Bowen (hyperextended elbow) back by Sunday. Hackett said Bowen would be the reserve right tackle, behind sophomore Brent McCaffrey.

Douglas remains the reserve left tackle behind Matt Welch. Offensive guard Travis Claridge and Welch missed practice Thursday because of soreness.

Linebacker Mark Cusano left practice with an ankle sprain, but it was not considered serious.

Defensive end Lawrence Larry (Littlerock), who played against Purdue, has also been sitting out to rest his sore ankle.