Rookie linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is back on the practice field after missing nearly a week due to a knee injury.
"It felt great to be out there -- to actually get out and practice with m teammates again after a week off of just watching really felt good," said Kerrigan, who the Redskins selected 16th overall in the NFL Draft on April 28.
Kerrigan wore a knee brace as a precautionary measure. He suffered the injury during the Redskins' first practice of training camp.
During the past week, Kerrigan continued to take mental reps and spent extra time with linebackers coach Lou Spanos learning the position and the defense.
Monday's practice was his first with full contact.
"I was looking forward to that first contact, because I've only had one practice, and it was just in jerseys," Kerrigan said. "So to get out here in shoulder pads and get that first hit under my belt really felt good."
Kerrigan is coming along in his adjustment to the linebacker position after playing defensive end at Purdue.
"It's just a whole different animal from defensive end," Kerrigan said. "You talk about coming out of a two-point stance versus a three-point stance. I'm still working on doing that and getting my stance right so I can be explosive off the line of scrimmage.
"Of course the coverage factor, because that's one of the bigger aspects of playing linebacker. It's something that's going to take a little bit of time, but I'm taking strides."
Kerrigan isn't used to playing with a brace on his knee, but he is getting more comfortable with it every day.
"I wasn't thinking about it at all. I hope it continues to progress, because I felt good today and enjoyed being out there with my teammates," Kerrigan said.
Head coach Mike Shanahan was also glad to see Kerrigan back on the field.
"Good to see him back," Shanahan said. "I'm sure he's not 100 percent, but it's nice to see him getting back into the swing of things."
In addition to Kerrigan, wide receiver Brandon Banks was full-go at Monday's practice. He was returning from knee soreness.
Quarterback John Beck (groin) and tight end Chris Cooley (sore knee) took part in individual drills but did not participate in 11-on-11 action.
