Coaches leave door cracked for USC wideout Damian Williams

Although Brice Butler did his best Damian Williams-impression in the Trojans' most recent game against Stanford, Williams' presence, both in the receiving game and the return game, has been sorely missed.

Williams, who suffered the high ankle sprain in the game against Arizona State, was thought to be lost for at least a few games, possibly even the entire regular season.

Now coaches are saying there is a chance to he might be able to go in the rivalry game against UCLA on Saturday.

According to Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News, the Trojans' coaching staff is 'optimistic' that Williams will at least attempt to play against the Bruins.

Pete Carroll, for one, thinks his junior wide receiver has the grit to try and come back.

"I think he's the kind of guy that will find a way," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "He's going to try. He'll find out how to adapt. He did it with a hamstring strain a couple weeks ago when he shouldn't have played."

While Williams will likely be listed as doubtful going into Saturday's game, his presence, even in a limited capacity, would be more than welcomed.

On the season, Williams has been the number one target for true freshman quarterback, Matt Barkley, catching 45 passes for 688 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The Bruins enter Saturday's contest boasting the second best pass defense in the Pac-10, giving up only 192.8 ypg through the air.

A big part of the UCLA potent air defense is Bruins' safety, Rahim Moore, who leads the nation with nine interceptions on the year.

Getting Williams back would be a major boon for the Trojans as it would add another option for the young Matt Barkley.

Whether he will make it onto the field Saturday is still up in the air; however, no one can question that Damian Williams is trying as best he can do just that.