SC NOTEBOOK: MITCHELL, MATUA IN SEARCH OF REMEDIES.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

USC wide receiver Jason Mitchell took an injection in his back Tuesday, and offensive lineman Fred Matua is undergoing a Samoan deep-tissue massage as the two race to avoid being forced to redshirt.

Mitchell received an epidural, which is usually given to women during childbirth, to try and alleviate pain for a slightly slipped vertebra in his back. He won't know until Thursday whether he can practice.

``I usually don't take shots,'' Mitchell said. ``Hopefully, the medication will kick in and I'll be able to play this week.''

The news is less optimistic concerning Matua, who has a deep knee bruise and is taking the week off before a decision on his future is made.

``We'll try this and see if it works,'' USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``It's likely not to. If not, we won't play him anymore.''

Matua nearly was in tears Monday, distraught over the possibility of redshirting. He is receiving regular treatments of ``Fofo,'' a Samoan massage used to heal injuries.

``Hopefully, I'll recover, I want to play,'' Matua said. ``I haven't played a full season healthy the last three years. I'm due for a good year. This is a gut check for me.''

Matua, who played at Banning High in Wilmington, injured his leg during the playoffs of his junior year and broke his ankle his senior season.

A player can redshirt if he plays in no more than three of the first six games in a 12-game season.

Tailback Darryl Poston also is expected to redshirt because of a lingering back injury that occurred in high school.

--More ailments: Defensive end Omar Nazel said he didn't practice because he felt like he might be getting the flu.

Defensive tackle Shaun Cody sat out with a hip flexor. Defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey has not practiced this week because of a personal matter. Fullback Lee Webb did not dress because of a lower back problem.

--How about McFoy? With wide-receiver depth an issue, Carroll said there was a possibility freshman Chris McFoy could make the trip to Washington State.

However, McFoy scoffed at that idea, saying he has been on the scout team and doesn't even know the offense's plays.

``I don't think they would put me in a game if I don't know what I'm doing,'' McFoy said. ``Most of the time I've been with the (scout) team so I don't really learn the plays. There were a couple days I went with the offense but I'm still doing (scout) team. Most of the injuries to the wide receivers are minor injuries.''

One of those minor injuries belongs to star freshman Mike Williams, who strained his calf last week.

``It hurts,'' Williams said. ``It bothered me in the game. I came out for a couple plays. But if I practice and get treatment, I'll be fine.''

--Star sighting: Among those on the sideline for the Oregon State game was actress Minnie Driver.