USC QB Mark Sanchez experienced the first setback in his recovery from a dislocated left kneecap — a pair of interceptions in Tuesday’s practice during the 11-on-11 period.

“He missed two weeks of practice, and that’s important,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “There’s some rust in there.”

Sanchez, who might have been a victim of his own adrenaline, said he was “bummed” about the picks. But, in typical Sanchez fashion, he tried to view them as a positive.

“I needed to see that kind of stuff and know that I can’t just be throwing the ball anywhere,” he said. “I’ve got to be accurate.”

Four days before the season opener at Virginia, Sanchez, who has been cleared to play, took a few minutes with us to discuss what he has been thinking about since injuring his knee three weeks ago.

Question: You have gone out of your way to stay near your teammates while injured, even watching from a golf cart during several practices. Were you trying to send a message?

Mark Sanchez: They understood. At first they were saying, ‘You can’t go out to practice. There’s no way you’re going to be able to stand on it that long.’ I said, ‘All right. Well, I need something.’ I’m not just not going to go to practice. I’m not just going to wait to watch the film. I feel too far away from the guys.

They saw me and how close I was and how nothing changed in my preparation. I was still in the film room. I was still working out extra. It might have been rehab but it was extra.

And they understand where my head’s at. They knew I was coming back. And I told them that.  I said, ‘I’m coming back as fast as possible so don’t get used to me not being around.’ I made sure they knew that.

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