That was the Tuesday word for offensive guard Chilo Rachal, attempting his return to the lineup this week, after he threw his helmet in disgust at realizing the swelling in his calf from a strained knee ligament hadn’t gone down.

“My first major injury,” Rachal said of his bout of impatience and frustration. After icing it and sitting out practice, Rachal said he’d be ready to go by week’s end and USC Coach Pete Carroll, after conferring with him, seemed to agree.

Sam Baker, at offensive left tackle, was also in pads and did some work but it’ll be several days before USC knows what he can do on his hamstring pull. In fact, that will be the point of practice for him this week: Finding out what he can do.

As for tailback Stafon Johnson, he didn’t seem to have any lingering effects from twisting his foot at the end of the Notre Dame game but still reports himself as “no better than 85 percent” Tuesday, but much better than he was a week ago.

He expects to be much improved over last week when he gained 47 yards in eight carries against Notre Dame.