Sac Bee: Cal college report: Lynch, others are listed as day-to-day

BERKELEY - Cal coach Jeff Tedford was asked Tuesday for an update on some of his injured players. Several minutes and one big gulp from a glass of water later, he was on to the next subject.  Tailback Marshawn Lynch is "definitely day-to-day" and likely will be a game-time decision before the Bears take on New Mexico State on Friday night in Las Cruces, N.M.    Lynch, who sat out Saturday's victory over Illinois with a broken bone just below his left little finger, practiced Monday but did not participate in contact drills. Left tackle Andrew Cameron and right guard Aaron Merz also are considered day-to-day with concussions after missing the Illinois game. Tedford said they will travel to New Mexico but "may not be available." In all, Cal was without five regular starters Saturday. However, the injuries haven't hurt the Bears, who are 3-0 and have climbed to No. 13 in the Associated Press poll. "Somebody's going to back you up and make the plays," said tailback and special-teams cover man Marcus O'Keith, who has rushed for 169 yards in the past two games. Justin Forsett started last week and gained 187 yards on the ground.

Of course, Tedford would rather have Lynch carrying the ball and would prefer no more injuries to his so-called "skilled" offensive players. He already has lost Nate Longshore, his top choice for quarterback, to a season-ending leg injury.

So when current starting quarterback Joe Ayoob limped into a media luncheon Tuesday wearing a boot on his left ankle, the concern in Tedford's eyes was evident. Ayoob is practicing at full speed and said team doctors made him wear the boot because his ankle "was a little sore" after Saturday's game. "We're doing it for the sympathy factor," he joked. "It's nothing." Tedford, who didn't look amused, grabbed Ayoob before he could sit down for lunch. "He called me a rookie because I still had it on," he said. "He knew you guys (reporters) would eat it up."

Local watch - The injury bug also has hit the defense. Worrell Williams, a redshirt freshman from Grant High School, missed the first game of the season with a sprained ankle but has recovered and likely will split time at outside linebacker Friday with true freshman Anthony Felder, who's listed as the starter. Williams and Felder are filling in for Greg Van Hoesen (ankle), who might not be available. The injuries to Van Hoesen and defensive end Tosh Lupoi (knee) have not crippled the defense, partly because of solid play by linebacker Desmond Bishop, who leads the team with 25 tackles.