USC quarterback Mark Sanchez spent most of Monday's practices traversing the field and barking encouragement from a golf cart, but he also took the first steps toward a possible return for the Aug. 30 opener against Virginia.
Sanchez began rehabilitation for the dislocated left kneecap he suffered Friday. He worked with the training staff and also stood and tossed a few short passes to freshman receiver Brice Butler.
"The next few days they'll be able to make some better judgment calls about when I'll be back," said Sanchez, who is scheduled to be examined today by team physician James Tibone. "The best thing is it didn't swell up after rehab."
Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp are seizing the opportunity in Sanchez's absence from drills, but the increased repetitions are beginning to take a physical toll. Mustain emerged from the locker room after Monday's second practice with his right shoulder in ice. Corp is experiencing groin soreness.
Neither pain is expected to dampen the competition to possibly replace Sanchez against Virginia. Both Mustain and Corp are looking forward to today's scrimmage at the Coliseum, the first of three before the opener.
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Linemen fall
Offensive lineman Michael Reardon had an MRI exam on his right hip and said he would probably need surgery. Reardon, a redshirt freshman, had been working as the backup center. With Jeff Byers still not participating in contact drills, Alex Parsons is the backup center.
Freshman offensive lineman Matt Meyer, who has had three surgeries on his right foot, has stress fractures that might require another operation, probably putting him on track to be a redshirt.
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Quick kicks
Coach Pete Carroll oversaw practice with a heavy heart as he mourned the death of friend Bo Taylor, who died of cancer. Taylor founded the Unity One violence prevention nonprofit that worked closely with Carroll's "A Better L.A." organization.
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gary.klein@latimes.com
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
L.A.'s quarterback candidates
AARON CORP, USC
6-4, 195, redshirt freshman
* Where he's from: Played at Orange Lutheran High, where he led his team to a state title. His father, Chris, played receiver for a I-AA championship team at Idaho State. His mother, Mary, was a setter for the volleyball team at Idaho State, and his sister, Lauren, is a St. Mary's-bound senior volleyball hitter for Orange Lutheran.
