Although DeAngelo Hall's status is still unclear for Sunday's game against the Patriots, the 12-year veteran has begun working his way back to the field following a toe injury.
It's been a long process back to the field for Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who has been dealing with a toe injury, but he's finally gotten back to working drills.
Hall – who was limited during Wednesday's practice but did take part in position drills – is trying to get back to being capable of "[backpedaling], planting and driving" according to Redskins head coach Jay Gruden.
"It's probably the worst position to have that type of injury," Gruden said on Wednesday. That's going to be totally his call – how he feels, how much he feels like he's in pain and how much he can play with it. That's going to be up to him ultimately. We'll just have to wait and see. He did some things out there today a little bit that gave us reason for hope. I think he's still playing with a little bit of pain."
The 12-year veteran has been slowly ramping up his on-field work.
The determination for his playing status, though, may not be made until Sunday. Still, he feels "pretty good."
"I did a lot more today than I did yesterday, and I'm just trying to see how my body responds and how I feel," he said. "I'm just trying to take it day by day and keep going with the training. I'm doing what the coaches want me to do and am trying to get better to get back out there and do what I can."
It's been a trying last 14 months for the Virginia Tech product, as he's battled a season-ending Achilles injury, a re-torn Achilles, a groin injury during training camp and now this toe injury.
While the Achilles and groin injuries are far past him now, being fully healthy now is a requirement before getting back to action.
He tried to tough it out and come back early against the Atlanta Falcons, the team who drafted him, in Week 5, but his body simply wasn't ready to take the impact.
A look back at some of Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall's interceptions through the years.
Hall's first career interception with the Redskins.
Hall picks off New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning in Week 13 of the 2008 season.
Hall adds to his six tackles by intercepting New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning in the season opener of the 2009.
Hall picks off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Week 4 16-13 victory in 2009.
Hall's third quarter interception off Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme in 2009.
Hall's last interception of the 2009 season in a 27-17 victory over the Denver Broncos.
Hall returning one of his four interceptions against the Chicago Bears in 2010. He tied an NFL record for the most interceptions by one player in a single game.
Hall and Brian Orakpo celebrate one of his four interceptions against the Chicago Bears in 2010. He tied an NFL record for the most interceptions by one player in a single game
Hall diving for one of his four interceptions against the Chicago Bears in 2010. He tied an NFL record for the most interceptions by one player in a single game.
Hall picks off a pass intended for Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson in the first quarter of a game during the 2010 season.
Hall celebrating his third quarter interception in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.
Hall confirming his late game interception against the Seattle Seahawks to secure a 23-17 victory during the 2011 season.
Hall returning a second quarter interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2012 season. The Redskins would win the game 24-22.
Hall breaking a tackle after intercepting Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in the second quarter of the team's 38-31 victory in Week 12 of the 2012 season.
"At the end of the day, if I can't go out there and run or come out of a break pretty well I don't stand a chance," Hall said. "I think the coaches understand that and at the end of the day, they just want a healthy anybody out there over a hurt me or anybody else on this team. It'd be nice to get me back and get Cully [Chris Culliver] back, but the guys that stepped up and stepped in for us have done a hell of a job."
If Hall is able to get onto the field Sunday, it will be against one of the NFL's elite aerial attacks.
Tom Brady, of course, is the catalyst and guys like Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski make it difficult to key in on one guy.
"I think they do a good job of just bringing in guys to fit what they want to do," Hall said. "Finding another tight end in [Scott] Chandler, who they got from Buffalo; going back to [Aaron] Hernandez and Gronk, they had two and were able to run or pass out of any formation, and now they kind of have that same thing now. Having Kevin Faulk or Shane Vereen over the last couple of year, he's gone and they go and get [Dion] Lewis and kind of plug him in and he does the same thing, maybe even better. You lose Wes Welker and you're like man he caught a lot of balls, but they find a Julian Edelman and find an Amendola. So I just think they do a good job of knowing who they are."
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