Orange County Register

Quick hitters from USC’s Monday practice:

** Coach Pete Carroll stopped short of officially naming Mitch Mustain the No. 2 quarterback, but Mustain took the second-team reps behind starter Matt Barkley.

** Receiver Ronald Johnson shed his yellow quarterback’s jersey and fully participated in practice. He did non-contact drills last week, his first football action since breaking his collarbone Aug. 29.

** Armond Armstead participated in team drills for the first time since breaking his left foot Aug. 20. Armstead lined up at both defensive end and defensive tackle.

** Defensive tackle Averell Spicer sat out after tweaking his ankle but said he would return Tuesday.

** Nose tackle Christian Tupou was limited because of what Carroll described as a “pinched” knee.

** Cornerback Brian Baucham practiced for the first time since getting hurt in a motorcycle accident Sept. 17.

** Defensive end Nick Perry remained out because of a bruised knee.

** Malcolm Smith, who missed the past two games because of a sprained ankle, took almost all of the first-team reps at weak-side linebacker.

** Jordan Congdon held off Joe Houston and will remain the first-string placekicker, Carroll said.

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Joe McKnight alone atop TB depth chart
• USC football: The logic behind the new nickel
• USC football: Work ethic not an issue for this freshman
• USC football: The future at safety looks bright
• USC football: A most productive weekend
• USC football: The value and versatility of Garrett Green
• USC football: 5 games that mean something to the Trojans
• USC football: The latest on Stafon Johnson’s recovery
• USC football: Carroll hits recruiting trail feeling good
• USC football: Is Mustain No. 2 on the depth chart?

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