Stanford's Harrison Phillips (knee) ruled out for Saturday's game

Stanford defensive lineman Harrison Phillips will not play in Saturday's game against USC because of a knee injury.

Stanford, ranked No. 7 in the AP Top 25, expects Phillips to return to action this season, though a firm date has not been set. Coach David Shawhad held out hope this week that Phillips would be ready in time to face the Trojans, but a team spokesman said Friday afternoon that Phillips was officially ruled out.

Phillips, a junior, injured his knee in the second half of the Cardinal's opener against Kansas State. It is not the same knee that he had surgically repaired after tearing his ACL in last year's season opener, and Shaw said last week that Phillips suffered no ligament damage this time around.

"It's much better news than it could have been," Shaw said. "He's excited, and his family is very excited."

Fifth-year senior Jordan Watkins, who recorded his first two career sacks in the Cardinal's opener against Kansas State, will start at nose tackle in Phillips' place.

Stanford and USC kick off at 5 p.m. PST on ABC.