USC coach says Josh Shaw could return to team after bogus story

LOS ANGELES - Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian says he shares blame with the athletic department for publicizing cornerback Josh Shaw's bogus story about injuring his ankles while saving his nephew from drowning.

Sarkisian also said Thursday that the suspended Shaw could "potentially" return to the Trojans at some point this season.

The first-year coach also says Shaw still hasn't told the Trojans exactly how he sprained both of his ankles last weekend.

Shaw admitted his story was a lie Wednesday in a meeting with USC officials, but offered no explanation. Shaw was accompanied by attorney Donald Etra, who says Shaw's injury involved no criminal activity.

The university quickly acted after Shaw admitted the fabrication and suspended him from team activities indefinitely.

Shaw had said that he leaped from a second story balcony in order to save his nephew from drowning in a swimming pool, breaking both ankles in the process.

Meanwhile, the LAPD says around the same time Saturday night, they responded to a possible burglary call at a downtown apartment building, where a man, fitting Shaw's description was seen outside on the balconies of the Orsini Apartments, CBS Los Angeles reported.

The woman living there, not realizing what happened, was given the man's description by police which matched her boyfriend's, which happens to be Josh Shaw.

Los Angeles police and USC have launched separate investigations into the case.

Shaw released a statement apologizing for what he had done.

"I made up a story about this fall that was untrue. I was wrong not to tell the truth. I apologize to USC for this action on my part," he said.

Sarkisian says USC's decision to publicize Shaw's tall tale "had as much to do with me as anybody else."