Help is on the way for the Redskins' defense: linebacker LaVar Arrington, defensive tackle Brandon Noble and rookie cornerback Carlos Rogers were cleared for limited practice work on Monday, as training camp resumed at Redskins Park.
All three players were removed from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list after passing physicals, the team announced.
Arrington, who had arthroscopic knee surgery last April, participated in some individual and limited 7-on-7 drills on Monday.
Arrington's workload is expected to increase as the week progresses, with the possibility for limited 11-on-11 participation on Tuesday.
"I think LaVar is well ahead of schedule," head coach Joe Gibbs said last week. "Everything that he has done so far has been very good. We just wanted to make sure that condition-wise, he is ready. It's one thing to be in running shape and another thing when you start."
Noble also had arthroscopic knee surgery last April, but he developed an infection that forced him to miss most of the team's off-season workouts and two weeks of training camp.
Noble passed a 40-yard conditioning test last week and took part in individual and limited 7-on-7 drills on Monday.
"It was good to get hit," Noble said after practice. "It's always nice when you've gone through something like that to go out there and get that first double-team, get that first shot from one of those big fellas and know you are okay."
Asked if he would play in this Friday's game against Cincinnati, Noble said: "My goal is September 11. Whatever preseason game they ley me play in, then I'll go. If it's this week, that would be tough--it's only a couple of days away. I'll work to get my legs back under me and then go hit in Pittsburgh."
Rogers sustained an ankle injury in June, just prior to the team's mini-camp. He missed the first two weeks of training camp and was expected to start running full-go on Sunday during a session with athletic trainers at Redskins Park.
Like Arrington and Noble, Rogers took part in individual and limited 7-on-7 drills on Monday.
Cornerback Shawn Springs also returned to practice after missing several days last week as well as Saturday's preseason game. Springs had been nursing a hamstring injury not believed to be serious.
Cornerback Walt Harris, however, missed practice as he rested a calf injury suffered in the Carolina game. Artrell Hawkins, another cornerback, also sat out practice with a hamstring injury.
Offensive lineman Mark Wilson
