LOS ANGELES — When Mark Sanchez dislocated his left kneecap Aug. 8, the injury clouded USC's quarterback situation.

The clouds have parted.

Sanchez (Mission Viejo High) went about business in Saturday's game-situation scrimmage session as if the knee injury was a thing of the past.

"The trainers worked diligently with Mark and he was in the right frame of mind to heal well," USC coach Pete Carroll said.

"And he fought his way through it and it is looking like he's ready to go."

Sanchez first worked in the 7-on-7 drills early in the practice and later in the 11-on-11. Afterward, he deemed himself ready.

"It was a great day," he said.

"I got some good game-like situation experience. I felt fine scrambling the little bit that I did and I didn't even think twice about it, so that was good. I'm glad I'm back and Monday should be full go."

He appeared to be making up for the lost practice time as he dove on the ground to recover a fumbled snap during the 11-on-11 drills.

"He looked good again today (Saturday)," Carroll said. "It (practice) wasn't full speed but it was close to it.

"We'll go day-to-day and see what happens, but right now the plan is if he (Sanchez) makes it through the week, then he'll play."

For Sanchez, Saturday wasn't only a good day for him physically, but it also allowed him to be back in his role as leader instead of watching from the sideline.

"It was killing me to not be able to be in there with the guys," he said.

"You can't get tired sitting in a golf cart."

READY TO GO

The Trojans are off on Sunday and will return Monday for the first day of a busy week leading to the Saturday's opener at Virginia.

"A lot happens on Monday," Carroll said. "It is the first day of school, first day of in-season weight-training, and the first day of practice and the installation of the game plan."

Carroll said the Virginia game plan is mostly installed, but the focus of next week's practices will be fine-tuning certain aspects.

"We're pretty much ready to go in terms of the big areas," he said.

"I'm concerned about us getting really sharp and clean and executing precisely during this week so that we can turn out a good game where we don't get in our own way."

NOTES

Senior linebacker Brian Cushing said that he expects to get the cast removed from his left wrist before Monday. Cushing has been wearing the protective cast for a couple of days. ...

Receiver David Ausberry (groin muscle, hip), defensive back Shareece Wright (groin muscle) and running back C.J. Gable (ankle, hip) sat out Saturday's practice but should return Monday.