Cody Kessler, Leonard Williams on track to play Stanford, coach says

USC quarterback Cody Kessler on Thursday engaged Coach Steve Sarkisian in a post-practice contest to see who could hit a garbage can with a football.

It was a light moment in what has otherwise been a week of uncertainty for USC as Kessler recovered from a procedure performed Tuesday on his toe.

Kessler also slid awkwardly on his left knee in the Trojans’ season-opening victory over Fresno State.

Sarkisian reiterated Thursday that Kessler was on track to play in Saturday’s Pac-12 Conference opener at Stanford.

Kessler was not wearing a knee brace before or after the closed practice. He was upbeat and moved without any discernible problems while throwing to receivers afterward.

Kessler did not practice Tuesday and shared first-team reps with backup Max Browne on Wednesday.

Defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who sat out Wednesday because of an ankle injury, had his helmet and was in practice gear for Thursday’s workout. Sarkisian said Williams also was on track to play.